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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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d/ 
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liKfli  .C  luoitr-.vtt  toffitlirr  with  tooji 
hiili-s  for  sintil/ .  triiiS 


MA. 


JOH 


MEMOIRS 


OP 


MAJOR  ROBERT  STOBO, 


OF    THE 


n 


I 


VIRGINIA    REGIMENT. 


Arma   Virumquk. 


PITTSBURGH: 

PUBLISH2D  RY 

JOHN  S.  DAVIDSON,  NO.   65  MARKET  STREET, 

PRINTED  AT  THE  OFFICE  OP 

KENNEDYS'  BANK  NOTE  REVIEW,  THIRD  ST 

1854. 


CONTENTS. 


Stobo's    Plan  of  Fort    Du    Quesxe. 

Page. 
Introduction v 

Piireiit;»<re  of  Ilolx-rt  IStoho VA 

His  Birth  and  Ediicafioi) 14 

IJisFallior's  Doath— Soiitto  Virginiu— lietiinia  to  Ghis- 
gow—Solls  his  property  there — Commences  busi- 
ness in  Virginia !,'> 

Becomes  a  favorite  of  Dinwiddie,  the  Governor — 
French  encroacli  on  the  Ohio — A  Virginia  Regi- 
ment raised — .Stobo  the  first  Captain — Very  pop- 
ular   in 

Fort  Du  Quesne  built  by  the  French 17 

Stobo,  Engineer-  at  Fort  Necessity — That  Fort  surren- 
dered      18 

Stobo  and  Van  Braam  delivered  as  hostages — Confined 

in  Fort  Du  Quesne 19 

Writes  Letters  to  Washington,  and  sends  him  a  plan 

of  the  Fort 20 

Sent  to  Quebec— Popular  among  the  ladies  there 21 

Braddock   defeated 23 

Copies  of  iStobo's  letters  found  by  the  French  among 

Braddock's  paper 24 

Stobo  harshly  treated— Confined  in  a  dismal  dun- 
geon—Court   Martial     assembled    to    try    him— 

Found  guilty— Sentenced  to  be  hanged 25 

Sentence  sent  to  France 2G 

Not  approved  by  the  King— Escapes  from  his  prison,   29 

Retaken 31 

Again  imprisoned,  and  lady  appeals  to  the  Governor 

to  treat  him  less  harshly 32,  33,  34 

More  kindly  used— Forms  ac(piaintance  with  Lieu- 
tenant Stevenson 35 

Flans  an  escape— Escapes 37 


.loins  tlio  ollirr  |irls()ni'rs MS 

S«;i/i'  .1  c'Miioc  iiiul  (It'sci'iid    llir  Si.   I.:iu  rrii(T---'ri;iM'l 

ill  tin-  iiii'lit— lie  l>y  ill  d.-iy  11^1,1 |:^,  1  | 

|)is('()v«.'r  two  Iiidiiiiis — Kill  liicni  niid  tlicir  doi: .  !(!.  17.  IS 
|)i.s((t\(  r  :i  I'oi  ij--o;  I  red  l)o}il  comin*:  m|>  tli«'  ri\  i  r— ( ';i[i. 

tiiro  llic  l)(i;ii  jiiid   (1  ('\\— Clirv.  I,;i  Diininlo  Cniii- 

iiiainlcr ."jO 

Ahiiiidoii  tlirir  cMiioc— '!'nkc  to  the  IiomI.  ;iiid  iii;d\o  tiic 

crow  iissist  ill  work i II i;  licr .01 

Find  iinotlicr  Ixcit— Send  l.;i  Daraiito  and   lii.s  men  on 

lioard   licr 5  1.  .'').'■) 

A  storni  disaldos  tlicir  Ixiat .'»r» 

( )l)lii:('d  to  land  — Dotaiiird    cii^lit   days 57 

'l\vo  small  l'r<-ncli  vessels  a|i|Mar .OS 

St  oho  and  his  partv  hy  sti  alai^'oni  ea[)tiire  both <i',\  ('h\ 

Destroy  one,  enihark  in  the  other,  and  arrive  at  i.oiiis- 

hiirg  just  after  ^^'<)lle  had  sailed   i'or  (^iieln-e (I.') 

Emhai'ks  lor  (Quebec; <!') 

.Joins  Wolfe — (ii\  (>s  him  iisi'fnl  inforniation,  (;7,  (!S.  ()I).  7(1 

iSails  for  Hoston  toearrv  (lispatches  to  (ien.  Amhersl..  71 
Arrivi's  ut  Amherst's  headqnarters,  and  remains  till 

iht^  (•amj>ai<:u  is  closed 72 

Proceeds  to  AVilliamshnrirli 7') 

Highly  honored  there... 74 

Sails  lor  Kiiiihind 75 

Vessel  ca])tnred  by  French  privateer 7  1 

Kausomed 75 

Arrives  in  Enirland— Calls  on  Mr.  Fitt 7(j 

Gets  a  letter  of  I'eeonnnendation  to  (ien.  Amherst...  70 

Sails  I'or  iN'ew  York 77 

Abstracts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  House  of  I^nriresses 

of  Vir-inia 78,  82 

Appendix  A 83 

A])pendix  B 85 


On  tho 
years  ng<>, 
liloridus  a. 
now  sjiroii 
inliid'it,  111 
aiitl  undisi 
(»f  one  iiu 
was  hiloa 
adjoin!  11  <i;  < 
construc'to 
were  none 
by  the  su 
ho.eicj^'ed  : 
three  of  V 
posed  by 
delivorod 
part  of  th 
IJraaiii,  a 

On  thai 
drow  IVoiM 
of  Ijancru 
springs  in 

Such  \v 
Van  Bra  I 
Quesne;  ^ 
of  poor  .^ 
Van  Br; 
entertain  t 
always  bl 

But  of 
life,  so  fc 


1 N  T  R  (3 1)  U  C  T 1  (.)  xV . 


Oil  t.lio  tliinl  iliij' of  July,  A.  1).  17")1,  iiliiiost  one  humlrc<l 
yctir?iag(s  tliiit  {^re.it  man  ulio  wiifi  afterwards  tu  act  so  j^raiid  and 
fj;lnri<»us  a.  part  in  the  history  of  our  couiiiry,  and  Aviiot^L'  lame  is 
now  spread  and  reiirns  unparalleled  tlirou<^hout  the  ^lohe  wo 
iiilia'.if,  the  ^reatand  ;;ood  (iKokok  Washington,  tlien  an  uh-euro 
ami  undistiii;iuished  Colonel  of  an  incomplete  Viri;inia  llcsj^imcnt 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  "  sclf-willeil  and  un;rov<'rii:!'!(^ ''  men, 
wa^  l»(lea;j;uered  by  French  and  Indians  in  Fort  jS'cvessit^/,  in  an 
adjoiiiini;  eounty.  The  enemy  had  a  formidable  forec  ;  the  hastily 
constructed  work  was  very  defective,  and  of  hopes  (d'  relief  tliero 
were  none.  Tor  nine  hours,  the  enemy,  concealed  and  protected 
by  the  surrounding;  trees,  pourcil  in  an  incessant  lire  upon  the 
befie^^ed  :  already  thirty  of  the  j^Mrrison  were  killed,  and  only 
three  uf  tlie  enemy.  Terms  of  surrender  were,  at  length,  pro- 
posed by  the  bcf-icf^ers  and  accepted.  ]Iostan:es  were  to  bo 
ilelivered  for  the  faithful  performance  of  iho  stipulations  on  tho 
part  of  the  English  Colonies.  These  hostages  were  Captain  Van 
I'raam,  a  Dutchman,  and  the  subject  of  the  following  memoirs. 

On  that  day,  third  of  July,  17.') i,  the  English  garrison  with- 
drew from  tho  basin  of  the  Ohio,  and  then,  in  theelo(iuentlanguagG 
of  Bancroft:  "In  tho  whole  valley  of  the  Mississii)pi  to  its  head 
springs  in  the  Alleghenics,  no  standard  floated  but  that  of  France. " 

Such  was  the  condition  of  atl'airs  in  this  region  when  Stobo  and 
Van  I'raam  were  conveyed  as  prisoners  and  hostages  to  Fort  Du 
(^uesne,.  within  tho  site  of  our  present  city.  Truly  the  prospects 
of  poor  Stobo  were  then  gloomy  and  discouraging,  indeed.  Of 
Van  Draam's  fidelity,  some  doubts  have,  perhai)3  unjustly,  been 
entertained.  These  doubts,  whether  well  or  ill  founded,  must 
always  blunt  the  keenness  of  our  conviction  of  his  feelings. 

But  of  Stobo's  feeling,  no  doubt  can  exist.  His  whplo  future 
life,  so  far  as  wo  have  any  knowledge  of  it,  proves  him  to  have 


X. 


INTIlODUrrroN, 


l»0(Mi  '.vn  arilont  lovor  f»f  hla  country,  jind  :i  inofit  entorprisiticr  and 
(Inrinj;  man.  Ciit<»fr,  as  he  was  in  Fort,  l)ii  (^iicsno,  from  all  ilirtMjt 
intcroonrso  with  his  c<»untrynuii.  siirroiuKk'tl  hy  FriMichnien  and 
Indians,  it  could  scarcely  1)0  expected  that  he  would  1)0  disposed 
to  think  of  any  thin;;  hut  es(Mi|)e.  Ho,  liowovor,  was  a  tnati  of 
indoinitahlc  spirit,  ami  even  while  thus  secluded,  instead  of  sink- 
in<;  into  despondency  and  listless  inactivity,  ho  spent  liis  tiino 
in  writing  letters  stimulating  his  countrymen  to  action,  aiid 
furnishing;  information  necessary  to  success. 

It  is  now  many  years  since  the  writer  of  this  introduction  first 
saw  two  letters  from  Koukht  Stoijo,  written  in  Fort  Dn  Quesne, 
in  July,  1751,  almost  a  year  hefore  Braddock's  defeat.  Inclosed 
in  one  of  these  letters,  was  an  accurate  plan  of  Fort  l)u  Quesne. 
When  the  writer  of  this  .irti(  le  first  read  those  letters,  he  vvas 
strongly,  deeply  impres.-ed  with  the  noble,  devoted,  solf-sacrilicing 
spirit  manifested  in  every  line. 

'*  AVhen  wo  engaged  to  serve  our  country,  we  expected  to  do  it 
with  our  lives.  "  "  Consider  the  good  of  the  exj)cditi()n  without 
regard  to  us."  "Haste  to  strike."  "Let  the  good  of  the  expedi- 
tion be  considered  preferable  to  our  safety.  "  Such  is  the  language, 
such  the  spirit,  displayed  in  these  letters! 

The  writer  of  this  article  was  first  struck  with  admiration  at  the 
lofty  spirit  and  disinterested  patriotism  exhibitel  in  these  letters. 
Then,  when  he  reflected  upon  the  information  they  contain,  the 
urgent  counsel  to  action  they  give,  his  admiration  was  combined 
■with  surprise  and  curiosity.  Surprise  at  the  daring  of  Stobo  in 
writing  such  infnrmation,  and  trusting  it  in  the  hands  of  Indians 
who  might  be  treacherous,  or  even  if  faithful,  might  be  suspected 
by  the  French  and  searched.  Curiosity  to  know  how  in  the  midst 
of  enemies  in  a  petty  hostile  fort,  he  could  find  means  to  write 
such  letters,  and  prepare  a  plan  of  the  Fort,  which  would  be  so 
useful  to  an  attacking  army.  Had  ho  been  detected  in  writing 
these  letters  or  prei)aring  the  plan,  or  had  Mono  or  Delaware 
George  proved  treacherous,  and  betrayed  the  author,  his  condition 
"Would  have  been  greatly  altered  for  the  worse. 

Strong  evidence  would  be  required  to  convince  us  that  such  let- 
ters and  a  plan  were  really  prepared  under  such  circumstances.  In 
this  case,  however,  there  is  no  room  for  doubt.  The  letters  and 
plan    were    received    by    Colonel   Washington   in    duo    time, 


ropios    we 
(juently  eu 
his  defeat, 
hands  of 
Quebec,  w 
in  urciit  ji 
From  t 
duction  w 
abciut  the 
wrote  the 
Hume's  b 


some 


<< 


rt 


was  still 

the  aid  of 

Tolist  and 

merchant 

Major    K< 

This  is   r 

Duquesne 

dred  yeai 

copies  of 

the  Recoi 

notes  ar( 

who  beg 

noble  spii 

It  is  8 

later,  aln 

this  poin 

ment,  th( 

country 

which  as 

tion,  but 

right,  tl 

impose  i 

this  grei 

who  for 

guished 

and  as  i 

fidelity 


IN  rUoiM  r  rioN. 


M. 


<ro|»ii!s  wiTO  '(^nt  to  tli«*  IvxcpHtivi'  nl'  I'mnsylvjniia,  jind  sut»,^o 
ijin'Mtly  cupios  woro  iiKso  riirni.<heil  to  (iciu'ral  Jiriiddftck.  Aftor 
liiH  "lofoat,  on  the  nintli  (if  July,  IT/iTi,  tli(>!*o  impors  IVll  into  tho 
h:nuls  of  tho  enemy,  vvcri'  sent  lo  Frnnoo,  anil  from  thonce  to 
Qn«'l)0(%  whoro  Stobo  was  tlion  r(»nnne<l,  and  thero  ftlacnd  his  lil'o 
in  ijrcjit  jeopardy. 

From  tho  tir.st  reading  of  these  letters,  the  writer  (tf  this  intro- 
duction was  seized  with  an  anxious,  lonsjjin)^  desire  to  know  more; 
ahoiit  the  high-spirited,  selt'-sacrifieing  ])atriot  and  soldier  who 
wrote  them.     Never  has  this  desire  ceased  to  exist.     From  Davi<l 
Hume's  letter  to  Smollet,  the  writer  learned  that  Stobo  had  mot 
some   "  remarkahlo   adventures."     "What  these  adventures  were, 
was  still  unknown,  until  through  tho    kindness  of  a  friend,  and 
the  aid  of  Mr.  James  McIIetry,  (a  son  of  Dr.  Mellenry,  the  no- 
vcdist  and  poet,   formerly  of  this  city,)  a  worthy  and  enterprising 
merchant  of   Liverpool,  a  manuscript  copy  of  the  "  Memoirs  of 
Major   Robert  Stobo"  was  obtained  from  tho  British    Museum. 
This  is   now   republished  in    Pittsburgh,    near  the  silo  of  Fort 
Ducjuesne,  where  Stobo  was  confined  as  a  prisoner  just  one  hun- 
dred years  ago.     Tho  letters  are  not  given  in  the  memoirs,  but 
copies  of  those  letters  and  of  the  plan  of  tho  Fort,  taken  from 
tho  Records  at  Harrisburgh,  are  now  introduced,  and  a  very  few 
notes  are  also  added.     It  is  hoped  that  such  a  notice  of  a  man 
who  began  his  eventful  career  here,  and  who  displayed  such  a 
noble  spirit,  will  not  prove  uninteresting. 

Tt  is  a  coincidence  not  unworthy  of  notice,  that  forty  years 
later,  almost  to  a  day,  from  tho  time  of  writing  Stobo's  last  letter, 
this  point  at  tho  head  of  the  Ohio  was  the  scene  of  great  excite- 
ment, tho  field  of  insurrection  against  the  laws  of  the  land.  Tho 
country  was  no  longer  subject  to  the  rule  of  a  foreign  power, 
which  assumed  to  pass  laws  and  impose  taxes  without  representa- 
tion, but  was  a  free,  sovereign  and  independent  nation,  with  tho 
right,  the  glorious  privilege  of  electing  those  who,  alone,  could 
impose  taxes  and  adopt  the  necessary  legislation.  At  the  head  of 
this  great  Republic,  then,  stood  that  same  George  Washington, 
who  forty  years  before  had  figured  as  an  obscure  and  undistin- 
guished Colonel  at  Fort  Necessity.  To  perfect  the  coincidence, 
and  as  if  by  contrast  to  exhibit  in  brighter  light  the  heroism  and 
fidelity  of  Stobo,  another  Scotchman  appeared  in  the  field. 


.  1 


Xll. 


INTUODUrTTON. 


In  July,  1794,  the  mass  of  the  population,  cither  from  actual 
disaffectien  or  from  fear  of  those  who  were  disaffected,  rose  up  in 
hostility  to  the  j;overnmcnt  chosen  by  the  people.  The  adherents 
of  the  government  were  then  almost  as  few  and  feeble  in  compar- 
ison with  the  insurgents,  as  Stobo  was  in  relation  to  the  Prench, 
in  July,  1754.  The  later  Scotchman,  however,  possessed  none 
of  the  heroism  which  distinguished  his  predecessor — he,  like 
Stobo,  wrote  letters,  but  in  tone  and  spirit  they  were  vastly  differ- 
ent. They  contained  no  urgent  instances  to  "  haste  to  strike. " 
No  such  counsel  as  "  think  not  of  our  safety ; "  "  care  not  for 
us.  "  The  counsel  of  the  more  politic  demagogue  was  "wait,  '* 
"  delay,  "  "be  not  in  haste. "  Three  successive  years  of  trampling 
on  the  laws,  of  maltreating  public  oflBcers,  of  expulsion  of  the 
friends  of  government,  of  tarring  and  feathering  and  incendiarism, 
were  not  sufficient.  A  longer  reign  of  misrule  and  disorder  were 
desired.  Stobo  writes  that  one  hundred  i,rusty  Indians  might 
surprise  and  take  the  Fort;  he  uses  no  exaggeration  of  the 
strength  of  the  French  ;  no  expression  to  discourage  his  friends ; 
gives  no  highly  colored  pictures  of  the  power  of  the  enemy.  The 
later  Scotchman  aggravates  in  every  way  the  strength  of  the 
insurgents  with  whom  he  was  then  acting,  but  whom  he  deserted 
when  their  fortunes  assumed  a  more  gloomy  aspect.  "  I  am 
decisive  in  the  opinion,"  sayb  he,  "that  the  United  States  cannot 
effect  the  operation  of  the  law ; "  "the  question  will  not  be  about 
marching  to  Pittsburgh,"  "but  whether  they  (the  insurgents,) 
will  march  to  Philadelphia. "  Such  is  the  difference  between  the 
conduct  of  the  high  spirited  Scotchman  of  1754,  and  of  his 
countryman  forty  years  later. 

We  all  know  the  future  fortune  of  the  shrewd  and  more  subtle 
North  Briton ;  he  rose  to  a  distinguished  station ;  but  of  the 
faithful  and  heroic  Stobo,  we  have  no  knowledge.  Where  were 
his  later  years  passed  ?  Did  he  long  survive  the  capture  of 
Quebec  ?  Or  did  his  fiery  spirit  soon  wear  out  its  earthly  taber- 
nacle ?  Did  the  British  Government  overlook  his  past  services, 
or  was  he  employed  in  some  distant  portion  of  their  wide-spread 
dominions  ? 

These  are  all  questions  which  the  writer,  at  least,  would  gladly 
have  answered.  N.  B.  C. 


This  1 
dauntl( 
sufferi] 
of  his 
His  fa 
citizen 
maniif 
since  I 
was  d 
Glasg( 
inent 
who  \ 
tion  o 
he  pre 
mothe 

Roi 

that  U 
darlin 
delica 
nursec 


n 


I  Li-  i'.i^^ 


-1 


0 


^f 


■>V«  /4.* 


t^ 


J' 


'om  actual 
rose  up  in 
adherents 
in  compar- 
le  Prench, 
jssod  none 
-he,  like 
stly  differ- 
to  strike. " 
are  not  for 
IS  "  wait,  '* 
["trampling 
lion  of  the 
lendiarism, 
order  were 
ians  might 
on  of  the 
lis  friends ; 
jmy.  The 
gth  of  the 
le  deserted 
;.  "  I  am 
ites  cannot 
)t  be  about 
isurgents,) 
etween  the 
md  of  his 

Qore  subtle 
)ut  of  the 
'here  were 
capture  of 
thly  tab  er- 
st services, 
ide-spread 

uld  gladly 
I.  B.  C. 


MEMOIRS,  ETC. 


This  little  hero  of  the  following  memoirs,  whose 
dauntless  courage,  constant  zeal,  and  still  greater 
sufferings,  well  deserve  the  attention  of  every  lover 
of  his  country,  was  horn  at  Glnsg^ow  Anno  17^7. 
His  father,  William  Stobo  wus  a  mei'chant  and 
citizen  of  that  place,  and  the  hist  who  brought  its 
manufactures  up  to  England,  whence  Glasgow  has 
since  received  such  vast  yearly  returns :  his  mother 
was  daughter  of  James  Mitchell,  of  Balmore,  near 
Glasgow,  remarkable  for  nothing  more  than  his  em- 
inent piety,  and  a  small  inheritance  of  his  family, 
who  was  commonly  distinguished  by  the  appella- 
tion of  the  gentleman  of  Balmore,  which  courtesy 
he  probably  enjoyed  as  being  nearly  related,  by  his 
mother,  to  the  noble  and  ancient  family  of  Montrose. 

Robert  Stobo  was    the  only  son  of  his  father 

that  lived  past  infancy,  and  consequently  the  great 

darling  of  his  parents,  and,  withal,  so  prodigiously 

delicate  in  his  constitution,  that  when  a  boy,  he  was 

nursed  two  spring  seasons  on  breast  milk.    Being  at 
1 


»l 


-     |,4| 


i 


14 


MEMOIRS    UF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


1 


length  able  to  go  to  school,  his  infant  education  was 
attended  to  with  great  care,  and  he  was  early  in  the 
Latin  School  of  that  place;  here,  as  he  had  gather- 
ed a  little  strength  to  his  natural  activity  of  body 
and  mind,  he  soon  betrayed  a  turn  for  arms,  and  con- 
stantly employed  his  play  hours  in  drum-beating, 
mustering,  and  exercising  his  comrades  with  great 
alertness,  and  would  often  discipline  them,  severely, 
too,  though  much  his  superiors  in  strength  of  body, 
for  he  still  was  very  delicate. 

In  the  year  1740,  his  father  died,  and  leaving  him 
under  the  guardianship  of  his  nearest  friends,  he 
spent  a  reason  or  two  in  the  University  there,  when, 
his  mother  dying  likewise,  his  friends  determined, 
with  his  own  consent,  to  send  him  to  Virginia,  to 
serve  in  a  store  of  some  merchants  of  Glasgow, 
where  he  performed  his  engagements  with  ap- 
probation; and  having  begun  business  for  himself^ 
he  returned  to  Glasgow  Anno  1747;  in  order  to 
commence  merchant  with  better  hopes  of  success, 
he  converted  some  houses  he  had  into  money,  and 
laid  out  all  his  small  fortune  in  merchandize,  and 
went  over  with  a  resolution  to  settle  at  least  some 
years  in  Virginia,  where  the  natural  openness  and 
freedom  of  his  temper,  joined  with  a  turn  for  gaiety, 
soon  made  him  a  necessary  person  in  every  party 
of  pleasure,  and  his  acquaintance  was  much  courted 
by  all  the  best  company  of  the  province. 


I 


Too 
consid 
it  ill-s 
entertj 
civilitii 
little  o 
indeed 
scene, 
sweets 
Frencl 
ments 
the  Go 
to  opp 
regime 
to  adv 
ress;  t 
suited, 
offered 
emerg 

As 
nor,  ai 
and  w 
he  wa 
ment : 
for  h( 
regimi 
mechs 
a  cov( 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


15 


3n  was 
in  the 
^ather- 
f  body 
id  con- 
eating, 
I  great 
verely, 
"  body, 

ig  him 
ds,  he 
when, 
nined, 
nia,  to 
isgow, 
;h  ap- 
imself, 
3er  to 
iccess, 
y,  and 
e,  and 

some 
3S  and 
raiety, 

party 
)urted 


I 


$ 


Too  much  of  his  time  went  this  way  to  make  any 
considerable  progress  in  the  mercantile  life,  and  as 
it  ill-suited  with  his  disposition  to  be  constantly 
entertained  by  his  friends  without  returning  their 
civilities,  he  determined  to  keep  house  with  very 
little  other  view  than  to  entertain,  and  his  house  ivas 
indeed  open  to  every  body.  In  this  pleasurable 
scene,  which  lasted  till  1754,  he  enjoyed  the  only 
sweets  he  has  yet  tasted,  for  early  in  that  year  the 
French  began  to  make  very  bare-faced  encroach- 
ments on  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  in  so  much  that 
the  Governor,  Mr.  Dinwiddie,  found  himself  obliged 
to  oppose  them ;  in  the  Assembly  of  the  province  a 
regiment  is  determined  to  be  forthwith  raised,  and 
to  advance  towards  the  enemy  to  stop  their  prog- 
ress ;  the  occasion  was  very  opportune,  and  too  well 
suited  to  Mr.  Stobo's  disposition  to  let  it  pass ;  he 
offered  his  service  to  the  province  in  this  dangerous 
emergency. 

As  he  was  a  particular  favorite  with  the  Gover- 
nor, and  as  may  be  easily  imagined  from  his  temper 
and  way  of  life,  much  beloved  by  the  whole  people, 
he  was  appointed  the  oldest  Captain  of  this  regi- 
ment :  here  his  hospitable  disposition  did  not  vanish, 
for  he  provided  largely  for  the  campaign.  The 
regiment  was  formed  in  March  ;  he  had  ten  servants, 
mechanics  whom  he  enlisted,  provided  himself  with 
a  covered  wagon,  well  filled  with  every  necessary 


r 


( :* 


i 


m 


hi 


16 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR   STOBO, 


proper  to  make  these  mountainous  woody  deserts  as 
agreeable  as  their  situation  could  admit.  During 
his  stay  with  the  regiment  (which  we  shall  soon  see 
was  not  long)  he  kept  an  open  table  in  tbe  wilder- 
ness, which  was  plentifully  supplied  with  the  game 
the  woods  afforded,  as  he  had  some  of  the  best 
sportsmen  of  this  kind  constantly  out  for  that  pur- 
pose, besides,  he  carried  a  whole  butt  of  Madeira 
wine  with  him  at  his  first  setting  out. 

This  sort  of  behaviour  soon  won  him  the  hearts 
of  all  the  officers,  and  his  activity  in  forwarding  the- 
discipline  of  the  soldiers,  soon  drew  their  attention 
to  him  ;  in  short,  he  was  too  much  the  darling  of 
officers  and  men  to  escape  the  suspicion  and  envy 
of  his  superior  officers,   and  this  may,  with  some 

probability,  be  suspected  for  the  reason  of  his  being 

.i 

delivered   up  an  hostage,  as  we  shall   see  imme- 
diately.* 

By  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  so  suddenly  in 
North  America,  Mr.  Stobo  was  altogether  baulked 
in   the   schemes   he  had   formed   of  advancing   his 


Note — It  would  seem  from  this  that  Stoho  was  not  a  wilHiif^ 
h:''tage.  Still  there  ia  no  good  ground  for  the  intimation  that 
jealousy  induced  the  selection  of  him  as  one  of  the  hostages, 
^/"an  I3raam  was  the  other,  neither  of  them  natives  of  the  colo- 
nies, and  neither  of  them  having  families  to  be  left  behind. — 
N.  B.  C. 


fortune 
which 
regime 
built 
but  th 
hostilit 
Englis 
tions, 
the  tei 
were  i 
But  as 
design 
of  its 
these  s 
Mr.  St 
A  pi 
the  Gr 
Mounti 
and  on 
of  a  lai 
being 
undei« 
numbe 
themse 
enginoi 
for  the 
ned  anc 
by,  wei 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


17 


his 


fortune  with  che  advantages  of  his  mechanics,  etc., 
which  certainly  would  have  been  the  case  had  the 
regiment  remained  inactive  on  the  frontiers,  and 
built  forts  by  way  of  barriers  against  the  enemy ; 
but  the  French  had  prevented  this  effect  by  the 
hostilities  they  had  already  committed  against  the 
English  settlers,  by  driving  them  from  their  habita- 
tions, and  building  Fort  Duquesne  so  far  within 
the  territories  of  his  Britannic  Majesty,  as  they 
were  stipulated  by  the  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle. 
But  as  it  is  no  part  of  my  business,  and  far  from  my 
design,  to  enter  into  the  merits  of  the  war,  or  speak 
of  its  progress,  I  shall  only  touch  very  briefly  upon 
these  scenes,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  my  story,  where 
Mr.  Stobo  was  immediatelv  concerned. 

A  part  of  the  regiment,  in  June,  had  advanced  to 
the  Great  Meadows,  not  far  from  the  Appalachian 
Mountains,  with  Major  Washington  at  their  head  ; 
and  on  the  3d  of  July,  in  the  morning,  were  advised 
of  a  large  body  of  French  Canadians  and  barbarians 
being  close  upon  them ;  in  this  surprise,  as  they 
undei«tood  the  enemy  were  about  three  times  their 
number,  it  was  immediately  resolved  to  entrench 
themselves ;  Captain  Stobo  was  pitched  upon  for 
engineer,  and  in  so  short  a  time  as  they  had  withal, 
for  the  enemy  attacked  them  the  same  day,  he  plan- 
ned and  executed  such  entrenchments,  ivhich,  by  the 
by,  were  so  bravely  defended,  that  the  Fr^^nch  could 


I       I 


18 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


|i  i 


not  force  them  that  night,  and  notwithstanding  thoy 
were  half  filled  with  water  before  morning,  yet 
they  prepared  for  a  most  resolute  defence.  Next 
day  Monsieur  considering  it  might  cost  them  dear 
to  force  such  brave  fellows,  offered  them  terms  of 
capitulation,  which,  in  their  present  situation,  they 
could  by  no  means  refuse,  the  articles  of  which 
are  inserted  at  lengh  in  the  London  Magazine  for 
September,  1759,  in  the  history  of  the  rise  and 
progress  of  the  present  war. 

For  the  performance  of  these  articles*  on  the 
the  part  of  Britain,  Captain  Robert  Stobo  and  Van 
Braam  were  delivered  up  as  hostages,  and  the  rest 
had  the  liberty  to  march  out  of  their  sorry  garrison 
with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  to  return  home. 
Upon  this  strange  alteration  of  the  Captain's  affairs, 
he  presented  the  Lieutenant  of  his  own  company 
with  his  sword,  as  he  had  then  no  farther  use  for  it, 
and  begged  he  would  not  spare  it  when  opportunity 
offered  to  draw  it  in  behalf  of  his  country,  and  which 
sword,  notwithstanding  that  gentleman  fell  with 
the   unfortunate    General  Braddock,   was   restored 


For  these  articles  see  Appendix  A.  But  it  would  not  be  just  to 
the  memory  of  Washington  to  omit  saying  that  the  French  word 
for  "  a?sassination"  was  translated  "  death.  "  Whether  the  mis- 
translation by  Van  Braam  was  treacherous  or  stupid  is  not 
known. — C. 


to  Its  p 

Qut»bec 

singular 

But  1 

another 

the  ace 

venture 

soldiers 

service 

his  cou 

him  in 

morsel 

the  col< 

pledge 

except 

Inth 

where 

the  coi 

Frencl 

heartil 

that  na 

of  thes 

forth  w 

to    his 

Frencl 

op  port 

self  et 

on  tha 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


lU 


to  its  primitive  owner  long  nfter  his  escape  from 
Quebec,  and  which  tlie  Major  now  wears  with  a 
singular  esteem. 

But"  to  return,  we  must  now  view  our  hero  in 
another  light ;  instead  of  devising  liberal  things  for 
the  accommor^ation  of  his  brother  officers  and  ad- 
venturers, advancing  the  military  genius  of  the 
soldiers,  and  above  all,  striving  to  excel  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  he  is  now  in  the  hands  of 
his  country*s  enemies,  and  we  shall  presently  find 
him  in  a  dungeon,  lying  on  a  bag  of  straw,  with  a 
morsel  of  bread  and  a  pan  of  cold  water  by  his  side, 
the  cold  earthen  floor  his  table,  no  cheerful  friend  to 
pledge  him  to  a  glass,  or  other  guest  came  there, 
except  a  mouse  ran  past  his  meagre  fare. 

In  the  mean  time  he  was  sent  to  Fort  du  Quesne, 
where  he  was  treated  as  became  his  station,  with  all 
the  complaisant  double  entendre  so  familiar  to  the 
French.  Here  he  had  not  been  long  before  he  was 
heartily  convinced  of  the  faithless  regard  2^ aid  by 
that  nation  to  any  treaty,  by  their  manifest  violation 
of  these  articles  for  which  he  was  detained,  and 
forthwith  formed  a  resolution  of  being  serviceable 
to  his  country,  even  at  the  expense  of  being  a 
Frenchman;  satisfied  that  he  had  not  sought  the 
opportunity  to  violate  his  parole,  but  deemed  him- 
self entirely  absolved  from  all  obligations  of  honor 
on  that  point,  he  falls  about  forming  a  plan  of  Fort 


20 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


i!:i' 


'I 


(lu  Quesne,  with  all  its   approaches;  meditated  a 

scheme  for  the  reduction  of  the  place,  committed 
both  to  paper,  and  was  so  regardless  of  himself  as 
to  sign  it  with  his  own  name,  and  at  a  great  expense 
and  much  hazard  conveyed  it,  by  means  of  an  In- 
dian, to  the  commanding  officer  at  Wills  Creek. 
There  let  it  remain,  it  will  make  its  appearance 
again  but  too  soon. 

Some  time,  not  long  after  the  capitulation,  the 
Captain,  though  at  this  distance,  nor  likely  soon  to 
rejoin  his  regiment,  took  his  rank  in  it  as  Major,  and 
to  that  command  the  Governor  of  Virginia  would 
appoint  none  other  during  all  his  troubles,  which 
kept  him  from  the  regiment  five  years  and  upwards. 

Whether  through  a  mistaken  policy  or  without 
design  is  uncertain,  but  the  French  removed  their 
hostage  from  one  fort  to  another,  through  the  whole 
chain  of  them,  from  Fort  du  Quesne  down  to 
Quebec,  which  is  about  three  hundred  leagues, 
with  this  advantage  to  himself,  that  he  had  liberty 
to  go  and  come  as  he  pleased  all  about  the  country  ; 
but  at  first  he  was  at  a  great  loss  from  his  not 
knowing  the  French  tongue,  to  acquire  which  was 
his  first  study,  in  which  pursuit  he  was  greatly- 
assisted  by  the  ladies,  who  took  great  pleasure  in 
hearing  him  again  a  child,  and  learning  to  pronounce 
his  syllables ;  his  manner  was  still  open,  free  and 
easy,  which  gained  him  ready  access  into  all  their 


f 


compai 

compai 

in  it,  \ 

acquair 

himsfilf 

nature, 

Indian 

much 

they  CO 

Indian'' 

he  has 

he  can 

foresidc 

garter, 

ration  ^ 

dipped 

the  skii 

little  ot 

to  mak 

ladies, 

and  wli 

knowk 


NOTE- 

original 
Clinkc-r. 
that  Sto 
may  ha\ 
exagger) 


MKMOIKS    OF    MAJOR    STOUO. 


21 


company ;  nay,  indeed,  they  never  thoughl  nny 
company  complete  unless  Monsieur  Stobo  made  one 
in  it,  where  as  soon  as  he  had  gained  a  tolerable 
acquaintance  of  their  language,  he  much  availed 
himself  of  their  maxims  and  policy,  and  of  the 
nature,  constitution  and  manners  of  the  different 
Indian  nations  through  which  he  passed  ;  and  so 
much  was  he  in  their  esteem  about  this  time,  that 
they  conferred  upon  him  the  honor  of  the  Mississaga 
Indian*  nation.  The  ceremony  of  the  installation 
he  has  not  yet  declared,  but  the  badge  of  this  order 
he  can  never  go  without,  for  it  is  pricked  on  the 
foresides  of  both  thighs,  immediately  above  the 
gn rter,  in  form  something  like  a  diadem  ;  the  ope- 
ration was  performed  with  some  sharp  fish  bones 
dipped  in  a  liquid  which  leaves  a  blackness  under 
the  skin  which  never  wears  of!*;  and  as  he  had  very 
little  other  employment  at  that  time,  he  endeavored 
to  make  himself  as  agreeable  as  he  could  with  the 
ladies,  and  found  himself  much  in  their  good  graces  ; 
and  whose  esteem  he  courted  principally  to  gain  the 
knowledge  of  things    by  their   means,  which    the 


] 


Note — I  have  heard  it  su^^gestecl  that  Stobo  was  Smollet's 
orio;inal  for  Captain  Lismahago  in  the  adventures  of  Humphrey 
Clinker.  It  is  known  by  a  letter  from  David  Hume  to  Smollet, 
that  Stobo  was  a  friend  of  the  latter  author,  and  his  adventures 
may  have  suggested  that  character.  But  if  go,  the  copy  is  a  great 
exaggeration  — C. 


m 


22 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STORO. 


Ml 


gentlemen,  with  greater  caution,  concealed  from 
bim.  Setting  aside  the  gentleness  nf  his  manner* 
there  was  something  in  his  appearance  very  enga- 
ging ;  he  was  of  the  middle  size,  that  is,  about  five 
feet  nine  and  a  half  or  near  10  inches  high,  of  a 
dark  brown  complexion,  a  penetrating  eye,  an 
aquiline  nose,  round  face,  a  good  cheerful  counte- 
nance, a  very  genteel  person,  rather  slender  than 
robust,  and  graceful  in  liis  whole  deportment. 

This  scene  lasted,  without  interruption,  till  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1755,  when  the  French 
Gazette  pointed  him  out  as  a  person  who  had 
informed  the  English  Government  of  the  strength 
and  situation  of  Fort  du  Quesne,*  which  might  very 
readily  tianspire,  if  communicated  at  that  time, 
when  none  of  the  schemes  of  this  court  were  put 
in  execution  till  nearly  all  Europe  were  acquainted 
with  them.  Upon  this  alarm,  the  Major's  conduct 
was  observed  with  stricter  attention  than  it  had 
been,  and  the  French  officers  now  began  to  look 
upon  him  as  a  dangerous  inmate,  but  he  still 
preserved  his  credit  with  the  ladies,  by  cultivating 


Note — In  the  memorial  issued  by  the  French  Government  in 
1756,  justifying  its  conduct,  Stobo  is  described  as  a  spy  in  Fort 
du  Quesne,  who  had  communicated  valuable  information  to  the 
British  authorities.  His  letters  are  published  in  the  appendix  to 
the  memorial,  and  his  plan  of  the  Fort  is  said  to  be  "exact." 


that  fat 
abunda 
time  to 
do  sucl 
man!  w 
were  sc 
their  c 
almost 
his  life 
As  s 
Americ 
Creek"* 
plan,  V 
fell,  wl 
Indiana 
his  bag 
his    pa] 
conting 
unthinl 

name. 

Upo: 
prisone 
tials  ag 
first  o] 


NOTE- 

stands. 
fFoK 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOIIO. 


23 


1  from 
laiiner* 
r  eiiga- 
)ut  five 
;b,  of  a 
ye,  an 
counte- 
31'  than 
t. 

till  the 

French 

ho   had 

itrength 

;ht  very 

t  time, 

re  put 

uainted 

onduct 

it   had 

to  look 

le    still 

;ivating 


iment  in 
'■  in  Fort 
>n  to  the 
)endix  to 
ict. " 


I 


I 


I 


that  familiar  tete  a  tete  in  their  conversation  in  such 
abundance,  as  left  them  no  room  to  thhik  he  took 
time  to  reflect  on  any  thing  else.  Monsieur  Stobo 
do  such  a  thing !  Oh,  no,  poor  unthinking  gentle- 
man !  w^as  their  constant  apology  for  him.  But  tliey 
were  soon  undeceived,  and  he  v^'as  soon  deprived  of 
their  conversation,  together  w^itli  his  liberty,  and 
almost  every  other  gratification  w^hich  could  make 
his  life  supportable. 

As  soon  as  General  Braddock  landed  in  North 
America,  in  1755,  the  commanding  officer  at  the 
Creek*  delivered  to  him  the  Major's  letterst  and 
plan,  wrhich  that  unfortunate  General  kept  till  he 
fell,  w^hen  he  was  surprised  and  attacked  by  the 
Indians  on  his  march  through  the  woods ;  almost  all 
his  baggage  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  with 
his  papers,  and  these  among  the  rest;  unlucky 
contingent  attending  such  a  great  disaster,  and  oh ! 
unthinking    Major   indeed,    signed     with    his    own 

name. 

Upon  this  discovery,  he  was  committed  close 
prisoner  at  Quebec,  and  hardly  used;  these  creden- 
tials against  him  were  remitted  to  Paris  by  the  very 
first  opportunity,    and   returned  next  year  with  a 


Note- -Washington  at  Wills'  Creek,  where  Cumberland  now 
stands. 
fFor  copies  of  these  letters  see  Appendix  B. 


.!    y 


V 

.1' 


'I 

:  i 

I  Si 


.'! 


24 


MKMOIRS    OF     MAJOR    HTOBO. 


commission  for  the  Governor  of  Canada  to  try  the 
prisoner  for  his  life.  Some  time  this  yeai-,  1756,  he 
affected  an  escape  from  prison,  but  there  was 
immediately  a  n^ward  of  6,000  livres  offered  to  any 
body  that  would  bring  him  in  alive  or  dead,  which 
drew  several  thousands  into  the  woods  in  (juest  of 
him,  and  he  was  soon  replaced  in  his  confinement, 
and  that,  too,  soon  changed  to  a  worse  place,  and 
now  we  shall  find  him  in  a  situation  truly  melan- 
choly. Behold  him  marching  into  a  dungeon  where 
no  ray  of  the  sun,  that  gladness  of  the  eyes,  ever 
came,  nor  did  the  smallest  glimpse  of  light  ever 
visit  his  dark  abode;  a  place  long  unfrequented. 
No  crime  in  Canada  was  equal  to  such  horrors,  for 
at  his  entrance  here  he  found  nor  chair  nor  stool, 
his  dismal  couch,  a  cotton  bag  of  straw,  lay  on  the 
floor,  so  long  unused  to  any  guests  that  the  green 
corn,  or  rather  white,  had  grown  up  full  four  inches 
high  above  the  canvass ;  before  it,  on  the  floor,  was 
set  an  earthen  pan,  replenished  plentifully  with  chill 
cold  water,  and  over  it  was  laid  a  piece  of  bread. 

Here,  Major,  take  thy  rest,  if  rest  can  enter  here  ; 
mope  on  melancholy  and  drench  thy  soul  in  sorrow  ; 
here,  indeed,  necessity  and  dread  of  worse  might 
soothe  a  murderer's  guilty  conscience,  but  to  a  soul 
like  thine,  how  must  the  agonizing  moments  linger 


on 


for 


SIX  ion 


1( 


week? 


In   this,  his  dismal  cell,  at  his  first  entrance,  he 


could 
yet  by 
such  a 
disceri 
at  som 
Hen 
brougli 
of  mai 
Goveri 
prisoiu 
nations 
ces  ag 
Tried 
guilty 
their  f 
he  SCO 
barbar 
pleade 
and  ha 
fixed,  ; 
worse 
gracefi 
differ  e 
and  w 
still  v\ 
villain( 
burnec 
to  relc 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOHo. 


25 


try  the 
756,  he 
Te  was 
1  to  any 
1,  which 
juest  of 
nement. 
ce,  and 
melan- 
n  where 
Bs,  ever 
ht  ever 
[uented. 
;ors,  for 
>r  stool, 
r  on  the 
le  green 
r  inches 
)or,  was 
ith  chill 
»read. 
3r  here ; 
;orrow  ; 
3  might 
D  a  soul 
s  linger 

o 

nee,  he 


couhl  scarce  see  his  finger  an  inch  before  his  nose, 
yet  by  the  darkness,  almost  visible,  his  eyes  accjuired 
such  a  strength  of  sight,  that,  ere  long,  he  could 
discern  a  mouse  when  running  on  the  floor,  though 
at  some  distance. 

Hence,  on  the  28th  of  November,  was  our  hero 
brought,  with  unrelenting  heart,  to  the  Canadian  bar 
of  martial  justice,  where  Monsieur  Vaudreuil,  the 
Governor,  sat  President ;  the  Court  was  set,  the 
prisoner  arraigned  for  violating  the  known  laws  of 
nations,  for  breach  of  faith,  and  treasonable  practi- 
ces against  the  govei'nment  that  sheltered  him. 
Tried  by  his  peers,  well  might  they  have  spared  this 
guilty  brother,  for  when  ever  did  they  preserve 
their  faith,  and  by  their  manifest  corrupt  example 
he  scorned  to  offer  his  a  sacrifice  to  their  more 
barbarous  infidelity ;  all  this,  and  more,  in  vain  he 
pleaded,  no  counsel  for  the  panncl,  the  vote  was  put, 
and  hang  he  must  by  general  consent ;  the  day  was 
fixed,  and  back  he's  hurried  to  his  dark  abode,  much 
worse  than  death,  there  to  meditate  on  his  last 
graceful  exit,  and  con  his  penitentials  o'er;  far 
different  was  the  effect — his  country  still  prevailed, 
and  was  the  reigning  thought  within  his  breast ;  he 
still  was  confident  they  durst  not  execute  their 
villainous  sentence  on  a  British  subject,  and  still 
burned  with  expectation  some  time  to  get  free  and 

to  retort  upon  them  the  vile  indignities  they  offered 

2 


26 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


him.  The  judgment  they  had  given  they  sent  to 
France,  and  wait  the  approbation  of  their  King,  but 
Louis  thought  not  fit  to  approve;  meanwhile  they 
changed  his  dungeon  to  the  common  jail,  where  two 
stout  sentinels  were  posted  at  his  door,  and  two 
below  his  window,  but  fortuna  favtt  fortihus^  this 
held  him  not ;  here  was  a  long  winter  on  his  hand  ; 
they  often  threatened  him  with  execution,  and  oft 
have  led  him  out  in  triumph  through  Quebec,  his 
arms  with  cords  well  flightered  down ;  his  constant 
answer  was,  he  hoped  the  day  would  come  when  he 
could  twist  thsir  nose  for't,  who  caused  him  this 
disgrace. 

Here  the  Major  learned  to  smoke  tobacco,  and 
every  thing  he  could  devise  to  kill  the  tedious  hours, 
as  no  relief  was  found  to  free  him  from  their  hands ; 
no  cartel  could  bring  a  prisoner  of  equal  consequence 
to  them ;  he  had  seen  all  their  etiength,  their  every 
garrison,  and  was  too  well  qualified  to  serve  against 
them  to  hope  he  should  get  from  them.  There  was 
an  officer  of  note,  Laforce  by  name,  in  Virginia,  a 
prisoner  detained,  and  he  was  offered ;  that  would 
not  do,  they  lost  by  the  exchange. 

To  hear  the  barbarous  inhuman  murders  that 
were  in  plenty  daily  dealt  amongst  his  countrymen 
by  the  savage  Indians  and  the  more  faithless  French, 
has  oft  wound  up  the  passions  of  his  soul  to 
madness,  which  often  sunk  as  low  to  think  on  his 


B 


i 


\  "<  ' 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


27 


sent  to 
ing,  but 
le  they 
ere  two 

d  two 
us  J  this 
s  hand ; 
and  oft 
Dec,  his 
constant 
v^hen  he 
im   this 

CO,  and 
s  hours, 

hands ; 
(qnence 
r  every 
against 
?re  was 
?inia,  a 

would 

rs  that 
trvmen 
•"rench, 
oul  to 
on  his 


i 


confinement;  often  would  he  resolve  within  his 
breast,  to  find  out  an  expedient  to  get  away.  At 
length  being  wearied  with  conjecture  and  weighing 
consequences,  he  fixed  upon  the  window  for  his 
door,  and  if  the  lucky  project  hit,  and  he  could  but 
once  gain  the  woods,  a  six  weeks  painful  journey 
would  brini?  him  to  an  Enjrlish  settlement.  The 
scheme  was  laid,  tlie  window  was  the  place,  and  it 
was  firmly  barred  with  iron,  right  up  and  down,  but 
not  across  ;  from  iron  to  iron  at  bottom,  there  must 
be  a  groove  cut  in  the  hard  stono,  deep  and  wide 
enough  to  let  one  staunchion  to  the  other  slide, 
which  yielded  him  an  easy  passage;  a  sorry  knife, 
round  at  the  point,  with  which  he  cut  his  victuals, 
was  all  his  tools ;  with  this  his  method  was  to  rub 
the  stone,  for  cut  it  would  not,  and  he  must  not 
strike  for  fear  of  makinor  a  noise. 

The  work  's  begun  ;  now  let  us  look  out  for  the 
provision  for  the  journey  ;  naked  of  arms,  offensive 
or  defensive,  he  must  get  out  or  stay,  provisions 
must  be  carried  with  him,  for  which  purpose  a 
knapsack  was  secured  ;  and  in  this  room,  upon  the 
floor,  there  was  a  stove  made  round,  and  a  box  ;  on 
one  side,  a  small  door  with  bars,  and  on  the  top  was 
flat ;  a  funnel  from  the  sides  conveyed  away  the 
smoke  ;  on  this  he  parched  with  care  what  for  his 
pilgrimage  he  meant  to  carry. 

And  now  to  work  by  turns,  and  now  to  cater  for 


28 


MEMOIRS    OF     MAJOR    STOBO, 


the  knapsack ;  long  time  was  spent  in  this  amuse- 
ment, great  caution,  too,  was  used  for  secrecy,  for 
his  room  door  was  always  open  to  the  jailor,  who 
might  surprise  him  at  his  work  ;  the  growing  groove 
was  to  be  filled,  with  constant  care,  at  leaving  off 
his  labor,  by  chewing  bread  on  purpose,  ready, 
which,  stuffing  in  the  hole,  he  covered  with  the  sand 
which  he  had  rubbed,  or  ashes  of  his  pipe,  of  the 
same  colour ;  if  he  had  been  surprised  before  the 
other  was  provided,  which  some  times  was  the  case, 
for  at  this  lazy  hewing  method  he  often  grew  mad 
and  tired,  and  would  curse  his  perverse  fate,  which 
the  poor  stone  was  sure  to  feel  with  such  a  rub,  the 
grating  noise  of  which  would  some  times  rouse  the 
jailor,  who  lived  immediately  below  him,  and  he'd 
come  rumbling  up ;  the  hole  was  filled  and  covered 
up  so  nicely,  the  Major  setting  reading  on  a  book, 
or  walking,  smoked  his  pipe,  as  fancy  led.  The 
jailor  stalked  about  the  room,  with  curious  eye,  and 
now  looked  through  the  bars,  and  then  would  ask 
his  prisoner  if  he  had  not  perceived  such  gentlemen 
pass  by  his  window,  nor  would  he  say  that  he 
suspected  foul  designs,  but  narrowly  surveyed  each 
corner.     This  often  was  the  trial  of  his  vigilance. 

At  length  the  work  was  done,  the  bar  had  room  to 
play,  but  being  fast  at  the  top,  and  short  withal,  it 
was  too  strong  for  him  to  bend  ;  to  help  out  this 
defect,  a  file  was  wanting,  which  he  soon  supplied 


Sk 


by  tyi 
this   h 
the  ha 
in    a 
engine 
been 
dried 
what 
more ; 
was  w 

Th( 

and  tl 

and  n 

the  se 

thinki 

sough 

fared 

and  f 

drew 

at  wo 

he  pi 

scarc( 

with  I 

not  t( 

rain, 

town 

quart 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


29 


I 


i . 


by  tying  his  handkerchief  round  two  bars,  and  into 
this  he  put  a  stick,  with  which  he  screwed  up  hard 
the  handkerchief,  which  brought  both  bars  together 
in  a  trice,  and  there  was  room  enough.  This 
engine  proved,  all  was  in  order  filled,  as  naught  had 
been  achieved  ;  the  knapsack,  too,  was  stored  with 
dried  ham  and  tongue,  and  bread  and  cheese,  and 
what  else  suited  for  to  keep,  full  thirty  pounds  and 
more ;  thus  all  was  ripe  for  execution,  but  the  time 
was  wanted,  and  now  it  comes. 

The  30th  of  April  it  had  bailed,  rained,  blowed, 
and  thundered  with  such  violence  as  made  it  terrible, 
and  night  came  on,  repenting  nothing  of  the  day; 
the  sentries,  placed  without,  naught  suspected,  and 
thinking  all  was  quiet  in  such  a  dreadful  tempest, 
sought  the  shelter   of  the  house ;  far  otherwise    it 
fared  above,  for  he  was  looking  for  the  opportunity, 
and  found  their  posts  deserted;   the  midnight  hour 
drew  nigh,  the  knapsack  tied  and  slung,  the  screw 
at  work,  and  thus  the  window's   opened,  and  down 
he  plumps,    a  goodly  height,  into  a   mire    below ; 
scarce  had  he  touched  the  ground,  but  off  he  went 
with  quick  dispatch.     Certain  of  his  way,  he  stood 
not  to  consider,  but  straight  he  flew,  well  soaked  in 
rain,  and   beaten  by  the  storm;    and  far  above  the 
town   he  reached  a  farmer's,  and  there  took  up  his 
quarters  for  the  approaching  day  into  an  out  house, 


■I 


I  f 


'I 


•  ^1 


30 


MEMOIRS    OF     MAJOR    STOBO. 


■r 

li 


on  a  hay  loft,  where  the  kind  hen  had  left  for  him 
her  eggs  to  suck  for  drink. 

The  morning  dawn  of  May  the  1st  proclaimed  the 
day,  when  up  the  watchful  jailor  goes  to  see  his 
prisoner;  the  door  he  opened,  but — par  bleu 
Monsieur  was  gone ;  away  he  sets,  with  rueful  face, 
to  give  the  alarm  ;  again  6,000  livres  offered  for 
him  by  beat  of  drum ;  it  yet  was  early,  nor  could 
the  fugitive  be  far,  the  sum  was  tempting,  and  out 
sets  the  whole  town.  Meanwhile,  he's  sure  they 
are  after  him,  and  snug  he  lies  there  two  whole 
days;  and  by  the  3d,  different  parties,  different 
ways,  pursued  at  a  greater  distance. 

About  the  midnight  hour  he  steals  from  out  his 
lurking  place,  with  silent  step  and  watchful  eye,  till 
by  degrees  he  leaves  the  farmer's  house  behind,  and 
straight  he  fares  for  Charles'  River;  when  he  came 
there,  it  was  high  water ;  no  time  was  left  to  hesi- 
tate, and  through  he  wades  up  to  his  chin,  his 
knapsack  on  his  head. 

Thus  drenched  in  the  flood,  with  speed  he  seeks 
the  friendly  covert  of  the  neighboring  woods,  and 
there  remained  for  the  next  day;  next  night  he 
edges  down  the  river,  nor  at  great  distance,  hoping 
there  to  find  some  stranded  skiff,  or  forlorn  canoe, 
with  which  to  waft  him  o'er  the  Lawrence,  then  to 
pursue  his  journey  southwards  through  the  woods. 
But  next  unlucky  night,  when  he  had  got  below  the 


I 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


31 


r  him 

d  the 
e  his 
bleu 
face, 
d  for 
could 
id  out 
)  they 
whole 
ferent 

ut  his 
ye,  till 
i,  and 
came 
hesi- 
n,  his 

seeks 
;.  and 
ht  he 
oping 
".anoe, 
len  to 
^oods. 
vv  the 


falls  of  Montmorenci,  just  in  the  twilight  of  the 
approaching  shade,  as  he  had  set  his  foot  on  the 
great  road,  leads  downwards  from  the  falls,  to  cross 
it  towards  the  river,  he  spied  some  gentlemen  come 
riding  up,  and  they  saw  him;  surprised,  he  started 
back  to  his  cover,  they  pushed  on  with  speed,  and 
in  they  rushed  among  the  bushes ;  their's  was  the 
prize,  the  prisoner  was  seized,  and  dragged,  reluc- 
tant, to  Quebec. 

Oh !  hast  thou  then,  Britannia,  thus  spurned  me 
from  thy  service,  and  am  I  doomed,  by  unrelenting 
fate,  in  this  inhospitable  place  to  die,  or  grow  grey 
headed  in  jail,  pent  up  thus  in  Quebec  ?  had  I  but 
fallen  at  the  Meadows,  and  sleeped  in  honor's  oozy 
bed,  I  had  been  happy  ;  but  thus  to  die  by  inches, 
and  cutting  thought  !  the  scorn  of  Britain's  faithless 
enemies,  obliged  to  hear  them  vaunt  the  cruel  deaths 
that's  daily  suffered  by  her  bravest  sons,  my  coun- 
trymen, their  mighty  Monarch's  potent  arm  does 
this,  mighty,  indeed,  for  butchering  and  murder. 
Oh!  could  I  but  regain  my  liberty,  once  more  to 
draw  my  sword  for  my  lov'd  country,  and  take 
ample  vengeance  on  her  remorseless  foes,  this 
feeble  arm  should  fight  while  life  remained,  which, 
losing  in  her  service,  I  would  yield  with  pleasure ; 
but  oh  !  I  fear  the  happy  death  is  not  for  me. 

Thus  did  he  moan  his  hapless  destiny  ;  ill  used 
before,    better   could   not   now   be    hoped   for;   he 


i  Hi 


82 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


sickens  at  the  thought  of  his  sad  fate,  antl  pines  a!; 
thinking  all  his  hopes  were  gone  ;  a  dreary  while  for 
him  remained  to  linger  out  in  sad  despondency,  well 
barred  and  bolted  in  with  treble  vigilance.  A  long, 
long  summer,  and  a  dismal  winter  were  to  come, 
and  these,  for  what  he  knew,  might  be  repeated,  if 
life  so  long  would  stay ;  he  could  not  stand  the 
thought,  his  spirits  failed  him,  his  looks  grew  pale, 
corroding  pensive  thought  sat  brooding  on  his  fore- 
head, and  left  it  all  in  wrinkles  ;  his  long  black  hair 
grows,  like  a  badger,  grey;  his  body  to  a  shadow 
wastes,  and  ere  the  winter  came  with  her  keen  edge 
of  harden'd  cold,  his  health  was  gone,  yet  he  must 
struggle  still  with  the  remaining  span  of  life,  for  out 
he  must  not  come,  and  he's  given  up  for  dead. 

There  dwelt,  by  lucky  fate,  in  this  strong  capital, 
a  lady  fair,  of  chaste  renown,  of  manners  sweet,  and 
gentle  soul ;  long  had  her  heart  confessed  for  this 
poor  prisoner,  a  flame  best  suited  with  the  spirit  of 
the  times  to  smother,  whose  tender  breast  felt  doubh'^ 
smart  at  this  his  deep  affliction,  which  threatened 
certain  death ;  her  kindred  was  confessed,  and 
influence,  too,  well  known  with  Vaudreuil,  this 
was  her  time,  or  d§ath  must  soon  have  finished  all 
his  sorrows;  and,  strange  speech  of  love,  though 
reasonable,  thus  she  accosts  the  proud  Canadian 
Vice  Roy : 

**  Mighty  cousin,  our  good  Canadian  Court,  most 


k 


sure 

Englisj 

Monarl 

mankii 

and  th| 

nor   oi 

Empir| 

great 

master 

the  Ki 

his   cr 

doubt 

appro\ 

please 

suffer 

annals 

met    v^ 

should 

would' 

well  d 

thy  fa' 

freer 

ramp  a 

whose 

alwayi 

I  belie 

nor   v^ 

enoug 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


33 


k 


sure  were  right  when  they  condemned  this  haughty 
English  prisoner  to  lose  his  forfeit  life  to  our  grand 
Monarch  whose  great  benevolence  gives  peace  to 
mankind,  his  mighty  arms  give  empire  to  the  world, 
and  then,  his  trusty  friend  and  well  beloved  Gover- 
nor of  this  his  far  and  wide  extended  Northern 
Empire,  has  wisely  held,  for  him,  the  reins  of  this 
great  government,  faithful  to  disclose  to  thy  grand 
master,  this  our  faithless  foe ;  and  well  and  truly,  by 
the  King's  commission,  hast  thou  tried  the  nature  of 
his  crime,  and  for  thy  justice  in  his  sentence,  no 
doubt  thy  sovereign  will  give  thee  thanks,  and  soon 
approve  the  wisdom  of  thy  judgment ;  how  will  it 
please  great  Lewis  that  this  guilty  wretch  should 
suffer  for  such  crimes,  and  how  will  it  grace  the 
annals  of  thy  government,  that  thy  country's  foe 
met  with  his  just  punishment  from  thee :  But 
should  this  faithless  monster  die  in  prison,  thou 
would'st  be  the  loser,  and  he'd  elude  the  death  he 
well  deserves.  Let  me  advise,  thee,  therefore,  as 
thy  faithful  cousin,  to  change  the  prison  to  some 
freer  air:  Thou  knowst  there  lives  upon  the 
ramparts  a  trusty  servant,  to  his  King  and  thee, 
whose  faith's  been  often  tried  ;  a  centinel  stands 
always  by  his  door,  if  there  were  need  for  force,  as 
I  believe  there's  none,  for  as  I  am  told,  he  only  lives, 
he,  so  I  think  if  he  was  able,  be  fool 


won  J 


enough  to  attempt  again  to  get  away,    as  he  h 


as 


m 


34 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


twice  already  tried  his  vanity  and  thy  known 
vigilance,  and  yet  the  wretch  may  live  to  grace  thee 
with  his  swing, — I  but  advise." 

Her  virgin    innocence    and    unsuspected    words 
prevailed,   and  the  advice  went  down  ;  he  thanking 
her  for  her  kind  affection  to  his  honor,  and  forthwith 
placed  the  prisoner  on  the  ramparts.     If  thither  he 
could  walk,  'twas  all  he  could,  he  was  so  wasted. 
A  very  little  more  would  have  wrought  his  business  ; 
but  by  the  well  timed  care  of  his  kind  hostess,  and 
her  yet  kinder  daughters,  our  prisoner  here  recovers 
by   degrees,  and  was    indulged  to   walk  upon    the 
ramparts,  but  not  without  the  sentries'  view,  who 
had  the  strictest  charge  to  vigilance.     The  Major, 
too,    bestowed   great  pains   to  shun  suspicion,  nor 
once  transgressed  his  bounds,  or  over  walked  there- 
in, except  in  open  day,  nov  evei-  with   the  sentinels 
was  seen  to  speak;  expressed  great  satisfaction  with 
the  favor  shown  him  in  this  his  gentler  confinement. 
Peace  to  the   gentle  maid   who  first  contrived    and 
brought   about  this  happy  change.     One  kind   offi- 
cious daughter  of  his   hostess,  with   never  ceasing 
care,    beyond    the  rest,    if  she    heard  him   stir,    or 
thought  he  wanted  any  thing,  even  at  midnight,  or 
the    earliest   hours,    was    ever    running  up    for    to 
prevent,  if  possible,  his  wants.      The  British  months 
sr  time  now  had  come,  of  March  ar 


Spi 


A  pi 


but    here    'tis    later,    and    some    English    officers, 


prison  ( 

the  res 

whose 

among 

Clark, 

by  tra( 

child  re 

its   bri 

Clark 

must  I 

readil) 

in    th e 

ship  c£ 

his  rei 

and  h( 

sloop 

Eagle' 

infant 

had  se 

less  es 

and  n( 

this  c( 

some 

provici 

missec 

his  fai 

to  the 

anothi 


known 
ce  thee 

words 
anking 
'thwith 
ther  he 
A'a  steel, 
siness  ; 
ss,  and 
jcovers 
on  the 
7,  who 
Major, 
m,  nor 

there- 
ntinels 
in  with 
ement. 
;d  and 
id   offi- 

easing 
stir,  or 
ight,  or 

for  to 
months 

April, 
officers, 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO, 


35 


) 


I 


IS: 


prisoners  at  Quebec,  had  leave  to  visit  him.  Among 
the  rest  a  Lieutenant  of  Roger's  Ranging  Regiment, 
whose  name  was  Stevenson  ;  there  too  remained 
amongst  the  crowd  of  prisoners  brought  in,  one 
Clark,  a  Scotchman,  born  at  Leith,  a  ship  carpenter 
by  trade  ;  with  him,  his  wife  he  had,  and  two  small 
children ;  a  third  the  savages  had  some  where  beat 
its  brains  out  in  the  poor  parent's  sight.  With 
Clark  its  like  necessity  bore  no  control  ;  his  family 
must  be  supported,  and  to  regain  his  liberty,  he 
readily  embraced  the  holy  Catholic  faith,  as  practised 
in  the  Romish  mode,  (a  hopeful  convert,  truly;) 
ship  carpenters  were  scarce,  and  he  had  full  employ ; 
his  readiness  to  serve  had  gained  him  confidence, 
and  he  was  talked  of  to  go  dov/n  the  river  with  a 
sloop  to  bring  the  crew  who  had  escaped  the 
Eagle's  wreck  at  Belle  Isle  Straights.  His  own  dear 
infant  killed,  and  other  cruel  baibarous  murders  he 
had  seen,  as  practised  in  perfection  here,  had  doubt- 
less estranged  his  heart  from  all  this  savage  people, 
and  now  he  hugs  himself  with  hopes  to  get  away  in 
this  convenient  barque,  could  he  but  man  her  with 
some  English  prisoners,  with  arms  in  their  hands, 
provided  the  night  before  she  was  to  sail.  He 
missed  his  aim.  Another  went,  and  sore  he  moaned 
his  fair,  lost  opportunity.  Stevenson  communicated 
to  the  Major  this  abortive  scheme,  which  soon  begat 
another  more  successful,  and  sets  our  hero  free  for 


I 

If 


■h 


36 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STORO. 


)- 


ii 


action.  His  health  confirmed,  though  natural  policy 
forbade  his  own  confession  of  this  truth,  and  now 
lie  found  it  necessary,  that  he  might  act  with  greater 
freedom,  to  quarrel  with  his  young  kind  nurse;  this 
breach  accomplished,  with  reluctance,  Stevenson  he 
constituted  his  only  confident,  the  river  was  their 
route,  and  Clark  was  necessarily  of  the  party,  as  the 
only  person  who  aught  had  seen  of  maritime  affairs, 
at  freedom,  too,  to  purchase  what  was  wanted  for 
their  expedition.  The  Major's  pocket  was  the 
exchequer  whence  all  their  payments  issued,  and 
only  Stevenson  knew  till  the  last  scene,  he  was 
to  head  their  forces:  Clark's  wife  and  children,  and 
two  provincials,  private  men,  composed  the  whole 
battalion.  The  30th  again  of  April  was  now  ap- 
pointed for  the  execution  of  their  project ;  their 
rendezvous  was,  by  eleven  of  the  night,  under  a 
windmill,  by  the  little  river  not  far  above  the  town. 
Our  Major  took  occasion,  through  the  day,  to  talk 
of  pains,  and  heaviness,  and  twenty  ailments,  and  as 
the  night  came  on,  seemed  very  drowsy.  With 
great  precaution  he  had  taken  his  leave  of  Stevenson 
the  day  before,  with  strict  injunctions  not  to  fail 
the  time  and  place  appointed,  on  the  success  of 
which  depended  all  their  hopes  of  liberty.  As 
eight,  his  usual  time  of  rest,  approached,  he  told 
the  family  he  hop(?d  a  good  night's  rest  would  ease 
him  of  his  ailments,  and  hoped  that  he  should  find  it 


'^ 


i 


'al  policy 
md  now 
1  greater 
rse;  this 
ensoii  ho 
^as  theiv 
;y,  as  the 
e  affairs, 
nted  for 
was  the 
led,  and 

he  was 
ren,  and 
16  whole 
now  ap- 
It ;  their 
under  a 
he  town. 
,  to  talk 
s,  and  as 
.  With 
tevenson 
t  to  fail 
iccess  of 
ty.       As 

he  told 
luld  ease 
Id  find  it 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBU.  Ji 

by  to-morrow,  and  bid  them  all  a  bon  repose,  which 
kindly  was  reiurne*'  by  the  whole  house,  and  up  he 
went  to  bed;  here  as  he  stripped,  he  dressed  in  his 
new  uniform  ;  a  pair  of  trowsers  first,  above  his 
breeches;  the  sandals  to  his  feot  such  as  the  rabble 
wear,  a  coarse  brown  jacket,  with  many  a  thrum 
hung  waving  down  like  tassels  ;  a  silken  handker- 
chief about  his  neck ;  then  on  his  head  he  placed  a 
strong,  thick  woisted  wig;  no  smait  toupet  or 
feathered  top  was  there,  with  many  a  buckle  in't, 
but  alamode,  and  neither  combed  nor  powdered,  and 
over  that  a  cap,  suitable ;  the  whole  as  coarse  as 
even  meanest  sailor  wears  upon  the  river  Lawrence, 
and  all  in  taste.  Then  soft  he  lays  him  down  to 
rest,  though  not  to  sleep,  for  two  long  hours,  indeed, 
before  he  left  his  kindly  hostess'  friendly  roof. 
Many  a  doubt  he  solved  within  his  mind,  and  many 
more  contracted.  Before  the  hour  often,  he  steals 
up  gently  from  the  bed,  and  softly  ope's  the  door, 
where  he  but  stood  to  learn  his  next  advance,  and 
hears  the  family  engaged  in  conversation,  deep  and 
loud,  with  many  a  **  oui,  madame,  et  il,  n' est,  pas  possi- 
ble, Monsieur  ;^^  but,  however,  he  would  not  take  their 
words,  but  is  resolved  to  try,  and  first,  having  quietly 
shut  the  door  behind  him,  softly  downward  moves  up- 
on the  stair,  with  silent  pace  and  trembling  steps,  until 

he  reached   the  opposite  back  door,  which  opening 

easy,   out  he  went,   through  the  little  garden,  and 
3 


a8 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


gladly  overleaps  the  wall.  No  stranger  to  the  road 
though  long  unused,  away  he  strides,  a  poor  mean 
boalsman,  or  some  needy  iisher .  As  soon  as  he  had 
cleared  the  town,  he  mends  his  pace,  and  onward 
fares  to  find  the  mill,  which  presently  is  gained,  to 
the  great  terror  of  his  little  party,  who  all  were 
come  with  arms  for  each,  and  some  to  spare,  and 
ammunition  plenty,  and  provisions,  but  yet  knew 
nothing  of  his  coming,  only  Stevenson ;  nor  knew 
they  what  to  think,  and  straight  imagined  they  were 
all  discovered,  but  soon  were  reconciled  when  they 
found  Major  iStobo  of  their  party,  and  bid  him 
hearty  welcome.  The  night  was  fair,  short  time 
the  council  sat  or  stood,  but  soon  agreed  that 
upward  on  this  river  was  most  likely  where  to  find 
a  vessel  for  their  purpose.  March  was  the  word, 
off  they  filed  in  firm  battalion,  and  upward  moved 
on  this  small  river's  edge,  with  wishful  search, 
almost  two  miles;  at  length  a  large  canoe  was  found, 
made  of  the  bark  of  no  small  birchen  tree,  and  well 
finished;  she  seemed  to  be  the  size  to  carry  them, 
but  naught  to  spare;  a  gladsome  sight.  Then  up 
she's  easily  lifted  'twixt  their  hands,  and  carried  for 
the  launch ;  and  now  she  on  the  water  swims,  a 
trusty  vessel,  and  light  withal ;  then  in  they  step 
and  take  their  seats,  the  paddles  were  provided, 
St.  George  be  foremost  to  stay  all  opposition,  St. 
Andrew  guard  the  rear  from  all  pursuit,  they  said  ; 


MEMOIRS    OF     MAJOR    STOIU). 


39 


Lhe  rniiA 
or  mean 
s  he  held 
onward 
lined,  to 
ill  were 
ire,  and 
3t  knew 
)r  knew 
ey  were 
len  they 
bid  him 
ort  time 
3ed  that 
3  to  find 
e  word, 
.  moved 

search, 
IS  found, 
md  well 
ry  them, 
?hen  up 
rried  for 
wiras,  a 

ey  step 
rovided, 
tion,  St. 
ey  said  ; 


but    no  loud  cheers  to  grace   their   setting    off,   (jr 
signal  gun  was  fired  to  w(3igh. 

The  tide  was  turned,  and  with  swift  current 
downwards  roll(;(l  th(^  stream,  nil  favorable;  iho 
paddles  piny  with  nimble  hands,  and  all  at  work, 
away  she  files ;  no  need  of  boatswain  or  his  surly 
mates,  with  sharp  rattan,  to  keep  them  to  their  tasks, 
and  see  that  all  were  busy.  The  town  already 
stands  astern ;  Point  Levi  seems  to  meet  tht^m ; 
next  advavces  Orleans  Isle,  and  by  the  dawn  of  May 
the  1st,  they'd  left  Quebec  a  goodly  distance  up  the 
river;  but  now  the  advancing  fiood  had  met  them, 
and  the  clear  sighted  day  light  made  them  court  the 
mantle  of  the  woods.  In  shore  they  row,  and 
stepping  on  the  beach,  they  jump  for  joy  ;  but  first 
they  thank  kind  Heaven  that  they  are  got  thus  far. 
Provisions  taken  out,  and  arms,  which  loaded  some  ; 
and  then  with  tender  care  the  rest  do  seize  their 
slender  frigate,  up  they  lift  her,  and  march  into  the 
woods  to  find  some  friendly  thicket,  where  to  shade 
them  for  the  day.  » 

There  let  them  remain  till  we  return  and  see  how 
his  kind  hostess  in  the  city  fared.  The  hour  of 
eight  was  come,  and  all  was  quiet  in  the  apartment 
of  their  charge  ;  they  wait  till  nine :  *'  run  up  and 
see  if  Monsieur  was  awake,  and  what  he'll  have  for 
breakfast,  "  the  mother  said.  The  daughter  runs  : 
first   knocking   gently    at   the    door,    and    nothing 


40 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STORO. 


^i 


answering,  then  'tis  opened  softly,  and  she  ventures 
in — on  tliis  chair  lies  his  coat,  his  hat  on  that,  his 
shoes  stand  on  the  floor,  his  coat  hangs  on  a  pin  ; 
then  she  concludes  that  he's  gone  backwards,  and 
down  she  fares,  and  to  the  first  she  meets,  "  have 
you  seen  Monsieur  come  down  this  morning  ?  *' 
*'No. "  They  wait  a  little;  no  Monsieur  comes; 
they  look  in  the  little  house,  there's  nothing  there  ; 
**  by  Gar,  Monsieur  is  not  to  be  found.  "  The 
house  is  in  an  uproar ;  swift  they  fly  to  every  cornei-; 
no,  it  certainly  is  so.  The  poor  man,  distracted, 
tears  his  hair  ;  the  mother  cries  ;  the  daughters  run 
they  know  not  where  ;  they're  ruined  quite.  How 
could  they  face  the  Governor  ;  'twas  worse  to  hide 
it.  So  w^ith  their  dismal  tale  away  they  fare.  In 
evil  plight  they  stand  before  him,  sore  threatened 
for  their  negligence,  or  worse,  for  favoring  his 
escape  ;  right  hard  their  innocence  they  plead.  No 
time's  to  lose,  lie  must  be  had  again,  the  old  reward 
by  proclamations  oflered  ;  with  greedy  appetite  they 
haste  abroad,  and  busy  feet;  there  let  them  run,  all 
search  is  vain,  and  thousands  lose  their  labor — good 
bye,  Quebec.  Now  for  the  thicket,  where  right 
quiet  from  without  they  lie,  and  some  to  watch  by 
turns,  though  not  so  calm  within,  unused  at  first, 
but  by  experience  taught  to  bear  much  greater 
hardships.  With  eager  wish  the  night  comes  on, 
and   toward    the  beach   they   move.     Soon  as  the 


1j 
I- 


U  .1 


ventures 
that,  his 
1  a  pin  ; 
trds,  and 
;.  "  have 


rning 


?  »' 


^ 


comes  ; 
g  there  ; 
''       The 
jT  corner; 
istracted, 
bters  run 
3.     How 
to  hide 
are.     In 
reatened 
•ring   his 
lad.     No 
1  reward 
itite  they 
1  run,  all 
)r — good 
re    right 
A^atch  by 
at  first, 
greater 
Dines  on, 
n  as  the 


MEMOIRS     OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


41 


I 


flowing  tide  had  upward  ceased  to  roll,  they  launch 

their  feeble  barque,  in  they  set,  all  hands  to  work, 

and  by  the  morning  light  had  paddled  many  a  mile  ; 

then  to  the  woods  again.     This  was  their  unremitted 

task  for  ten  long  days  and  dreary  chilling  nights, 

upon  the  water ;  and  then  had  paddled  down  at  least 

an   hundred   leagues,  at  least,    of  this  long   river, 

without  gieat  danger  from  the  wave  or  shore,  or 

any  scathe  from    man.      The  Cudor*  passed,   and 

Camaraski  Isles,  and  many  more  of  lesser  note,  if 

they  had  names,  in  Lawrence   river,  here  theyVe 

none.     The  river  here  grown  wider,  seems  a  Firth, 

and  the  mid-channers  deemed  the  safest  course  by 

night,  as  seen  from  neither  shore.     About  the  tenth 

or  eleventh  night,  it's  no  great  matter  which,   the 

case  was  hard,  and  neither  warm  nor  dry  :  the  day, 

as  wont,  had  passed  in  covert,  now  at  greater  distance 

from  the  general  rendezvous  of  Canada  they  dared 

to  ramble  in  the  woods,  by  day,  in  quest  ot  game ; 

the  country,  wide  and  desolate,  afforded  plenty,  to 

save  their  salt  provisions,  or  for  variety.     But  with 

returning  night,  they  put  to  sea,  and  keep  the  middle 

course,    which,   as  they    gained,  the    wind  turned 

eastwardly,   and   up  the  river  blowed,   against  the 

ebbing   tide;  the  gale   increased,   with   snow    and 
3* 


^Probably  the  Isle  aux  Coudres, 


'i 


■'  J 


42 


MliMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


sleet  ;  this  never  fai^s  to  raise  a  rippling  sea,  which 
begins  to  swell ;  conscious  of  their  danger,  they 
begin  to  ply  for  land,  and  paddled  here,  with  many 
a  labored  stroke  ;  the  waves  break  in,  her  decks  are 
not  to  stave,  and  now  the  water  covers  all  her 
bottom  ;  and  filling  fast,  all  hands  that  paddled  not, 
were  set  to  bale.  Their  danger  soon  grew  immi- 
nent, her  yielding  sides  gave  pregnant  symptoms  of 
her  sure  destruction,  and  now  she  rises  on  the  lifted 
wave's  proud  summit ;  supported  on  the  middle  as 
on  a  high  crowned  ridge,  and  both  her  ends  were 
drooping,  being  deeply  loaded  fore  and  aft ;  and 
then,  anon,  she's  in  the  hollow  'twixt  the  waves, 
which  raise  her  stem  and  stern,  the  middle  sinking 
low,  and  her  weak  gunwales  yielding  outward  from 
the  pressure  of  her  ends,  which  opens  wide  her 
waist,  dismal  to  look  at.  Her  back  must  surely 
break,  was  now  become  the  general  voice ;  and 
therein  lay  the  greatest  danger.  The  storm  abated 
nothing  of  its  violence,  in  vain  they  toiled,  and  soon 
began  to  mix  their  work  with  prayers,  and  now  had 
lost  all  hopes  of  land  or  life  ;  the  Major,  too,  had 
laid  his  worst  accounts,  and  all  hands  flagged  at  their 
posts.  One  half  of  this  dismal  night  they  labored 
hard  in  this  distress,  and  might  have  paddled  yet ; 
for  some  projected  point  of  land,  with  rocks  outlying 
in  the  stream,  had  such  a  violent  current  set  in  from 
the  shore  they  sought,  as  rendered  all  efforts  in  vain 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


43 


,  which 
r,  they 
h  many 
jcks  are 
all  her 
led  not, 
V  immi- 
>toms  of 
le  lifted 
iddle  as 
ds  were 
ift ;  and 
waves, 
sinking 
ird  from 
^ide  her 
t  surely 
ce ;  and 
I  abated 
md  soon 
now  had 
too,  had 
I  at  their 
labored 
led  yet ; 

iiutlying 

in  from 

\  in  vain 


to  reach  it.  Now  this  was  apprehended,  and  about 
they  put,  with  little  better  hopes,  or  less  apparent 
danger,  and  he's  obliged  to  entreat  them  to  renew 
their  work,  and  work  while  any  hopes  were  left,  to 
gain  the  opposite  shore  ;  then  swift  the  paddles  go 
again,  and  o'er  they  pass  the  surging  wave,  which 
I       still  breaks  in,  and  still  they  bale  and  paddle  on. 

The  tide  of  ebb  being  almost  spent,  the  waves 
begin  to  fall,  the  wind  to  shift  a  little  to  the  North- 
ward, and  the  tempestuous  sea  soon  to  clear  with 
such  a  piercing  cold  as  froze  their  drenched  clothes 
upon  their  backs.  The  new  born  hopes  of  life  gave 
vigor  to  their  fainting  spirits,  and  hard  they  toiled, 
and  by  the  morning  reached  the  much  desired  shore. 
Worse  case  was  needless,  a  sorry  plight,  indeed,  for 
scarce  a  man  could  lift  a  leg,  their  frozen  mail-coats 
rattled  with  the  ice,  and  the  poor  frighted  mother 
could  scarcely  be  persuaded  she  yet  was  living,  and 
her  poor  children,  too,  were  almost  dead.  With 
much  ado  they  got  upon  the  beach,  and  straddled 
to  the  land,  where  wood  being  plenty,  the  sticks  lay 
opportune ;  a  rousing  heap  is  gathered,  the  steel 
and  flint  are  looked  for,  the  tinder  next  is  sought, 
but  it  was  soaked  with  wet,  and  nothing  dry  was 
found.  This  balked  all  their  growing  hopes  of 
success  ;  at  length  the  wife  bethought  her  of  her 
bosom,  and  there  she  searched  within  her  stays,  and 
found  a  rag  was  dry,  by  chance,  and  now  the  flint 


i 

i 

i 


/: 


44 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


is  beaten  by  tbe  steel,  and  forth  the  fire  came ;  the 
w(jod  is  kindled,  and  they  all  lay  round  to  thaw 
themselves  ;  first  having  sent  their  grateful  thanks  to 
heaven.  They  now  begin  to  talk  of  their  great 
danger  past,  and  happily  escaped,  and  then  what's 
for  breakfast.  This  was  the  sorest  trial  they  did, 
or  well  could  meet  with  from  the  wave ;  and  here  a 
day  or  two  was  spent  to  recreate  e'er  they  recovered 
right  themselves  again.  This  was  not  their  abode, 
they  must  again  to  sea,  and  try  once  more,  by 
their  trusty  corteXy*  now  grown  dearer  to  them  by 
her  services.  All  things  in  order,  with  the  twilight 
off"  they  set ;  the  night  was  quiet  and  favorable,  and 
on  they  passed  without  disturbance,  and  with  the 
morning  light  they  spied  a  little  bay,  which  seemed 
to  court  their  entrance  ;  right  in  they  stood,  and  up 
they  paddled  to  the  top,  and  went  ashore.  The 
necessary  orders  for  the  day  were  issued,  the  two 
provincials,  marksmen  well  experienced,  now  in  the 
woods  advanced  to  see  what  they  could  kill  for 
dinner.  JShort  while  they're  missed  till  they  come 
running  back,  with  rueful  length  of  face,  and 
with  a  sigh,  *'  we've  seen  two  Indians,  nor  are  they 
far  from  hence ;"  and  nothing  more  could  say  for 


-  *'  Cortex, "  Latin  for  the  bark  of  a  tree  Their  canoe  was 
made  of  birch  bark,  and  bark  or  barque  is  a  name  of  a  boat.  So 
we  have  here  a  very  far  fetched  pun,  half  hidden  in  Latin. 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


45 


le ;  the 
thaw 
inks  to 
great 
what's 
ly  did, 
here  a 
overed 
abode, 
>re,  by 
lem  by 
wilight 
le,  and 
ith   the 
ieemed 
and  up 
.     The 
he  two 
'■  in  the 
till   for 
^  come 
e,    and 
re  they 
ay   for 


anoe  was 
3at.  So 
n. 


want  of  breath.     "  Take  time,  my  lads,  "  then  says 
their  leader,  •*  and  tell  rae  what  the  matter  is,  that 
makes    you    look    thus    frightened.  "       Then    they 
described    the  Indians  at   large,  both  armed    with 
muskets    and  the  implements  of  death,  and  carried 
nothing    else.      Straight  it  is  resolved  to  see  them, 
lest,  peradventure,  they  might  be  scouts  sent  from  a 
larger  j)arty,  and  returning,  give  the  alarm  ;  and  in 
such  case  'twas  but    a  necessary  prudence  to    cut 
them  off.     *'  To  arms,  my  friends,  and  to  the  place,  " 
bo  said,  *'  where  these  two  Indians  were,  do  you  lead 
on  who  saw  them  ;  "  all  readily  obeyed  ;  the  women, 
children  and  canoe  were  left;  and  now  they're  on 
their   march,   and  as  they   passed   along,  he    gave 
them  strict  in  charge  to  see  that  well  they  stand  by 
him,  and  firm  to  one  another,  and  utter  not  a  word, 
as  English   was   their  only  language  ;  and  he,  by 
signs,  would   give   them   all  their  motions.     Right 
fair  was  promised,  and  now  in  sight  beyond  a  little 
river,  behold  the  Indians  stand,  dreading  naught  of 
enemies    in   this   mountainous    desert.     This  river 
must   be  crossed,  and  in  they  wade  full  mid-thigh 
deep ;  by  dire  mishap,  one  slipt  his  foot,  and   fell, 
his    clothes   and  musket    wet,   bad  omen  this,   por- 
tentous  of  ill  success  was  deemed  bv   some  ;  but 
fortunately  they're  soon  through,  and  onward  move  ; 
the  Major  in  the  front,  and  singing  as  he  went,  some 
French  cantata  ;    and  soon  the  Indians  are  joined  ; 


% 


(4 


46 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


then  straight  in  French  he  them  salutes,  and  asks 
them  of  their  cheer  ;  and  being  close  abreast,  the 
fire-lock  of  the  first  he  seized,  and  Stevenson  soon 
had  him  by  the  neck.  With  little  ceremony  the  rest 
the  other  seized,  and  then  he  let  them  know  he  bore 
a  French  commission,  and  clear  instructions  had  to 
search  these  woods  for  English  piisoners  that  had 
escaped  from  Quebec,  and  other  foes  to  the  great 
King,  his  master,  and  must  be  satisfied  of  what  they 
were ;  then  straight  they  told  him  they  were  guar- 
dians of  the  fire  ;  and  as  a  proof  of  what  they  said, 
tliey'd  lead  him  where  it  was,  and  to  their  habita- 
tions. Fast  collared  both,  in  silent  show  to  all  the 
rest,  they  march  along,  directing  to  their  wigwam 
a  little  hut  they  lived  in,  built  much  like  the 
common  soldier's  tent,  and  covered  over  with  bnrk 
of  trees.  This  fire  they  protected,  is  for  alarming 
Canada  on  any  fleet's  appearance,  making  for  the 
liver  Lawrence  ;  the  first  appearance  is  kindled  at 
the  river's  mouth,  when  by  the  second  that's  beheld, 
it's  lighted  too,  then  follow  all  the  rest  at  proper 
distances ;  and  thus,  in  half  a  day  at  most,  the  news 
is  carried  to  Quebec,  300  leagues;  by  night  they  blaze, 
and  in  the  day  they  smoke.  But  now  we're  at  the 
wigwam.  And  here  was  to  be  seen  fine  beaver 
skins  and  teal,  and  maple  sugar,  and  twenty  other 
curious  things  ;  no  sooner  seen,  but  Clark  says, 
d n  my  soul  but  I'll  have  this  ;  d n  me,  says 


anoth 

liidiai 

Stevei 

full  fo 

such  a 

high 

Conde 

etitioE 

charge 

soon  1 

becom 

alonof  1 

The  w 

sometl 

their  si 

to    thi 

unburi 

with  h 

far  fro 

black 

some  i 

or  whi 

fully  tJ 

is   fast 

«hoved 

yet. 

droll  w 

that  w 


■■I 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


47 


id  asks 
,st,  the 
n  soon 
the  rest 
le  bore 
had  to 
lat  had 
e  great 
at  they 
3  giiar- 
jy  said, 
habita- 
I  all  the 
wigwam 
ke  the 
th  bnrk 
arming 
for  the 
died  at 
beheld^ 
proper 
e  news 
y  blaze, 
3  at  the 
beaver 
y  other 
says, 
le,  says 


another,  but  this  is  mine  :  and  no  sooner  were  the 
Indians  confirmed  in  their  mistake,  but  he  whom 
Stevenson  held,  gave  such  a  spring  as  carried  liim 
full  four  yards  from  his  grips,  and  more,  and  sets  up 
such  a  dreadful  yell,  so  loud  and  shrill  withal,  as  the 
high  sonorous  mountains  echoed  back  far  round. 
Condemned  without  dispute,  and  to  prevent  a  rep- 
etition of  such  alarming  noise,  Stevenson  has  in 
charge  to  shoot  him  instantly,  and  anon  he  falls,  and 
soon  his  comrade  follows  his  example ;  *twas  now 
become  too  dangerous  to  let  them  live,  and  all 
along  they  laid,  but  stript  of  what  the  others  liked. 
The  wigwam  rifted,  off"  they  set,  and  every  one  had 
something  curious,  or  useful ;  and  soon  they  reach 
their  slightly  guarded  camp.  The  Major  then  began 
to  think  over  his  imprudence  in  leaving  them 
unburied,  and  back  he  sends  his  holy  convert,  Clark, 
with  him  another,  to  lay  them  in  the  ground.  Not 
far  from  where  they  lay,  there  stood  a  pool  of  water, 
black  and  deep,  most  like  an  ancient  whirlpool  of 
some  angling  river,  whose  sources  now  were  dried, 
or  which  had  changed  its  course;  first  having  care- 
Pully  taken  off*  their  scalps,  and  then  a  heavy  stone 
is  fastened  to  the  feet  of  each,  in  here  they're 
«hoved,  and  down  they  sink,  and  may  be  sinking 
yet.  Back  they  return,  and  Clark,  in  his  familiar 
droll  way,  and  to  prevent  a  reprimand  he  dreaded, 
that  with  cap  in  hand,  accosts  his  leader,  "Sir,  ain't 


I 


;     I 


I 


48 


MEMOIKS    OF     MAJOR     STOBO. 


M 


like  your  noble  honor,  the  business  is  done,  yoti 
charged  me  with,  that  I've  been  there,  let  these 
bear  witness,  "  and  out  he  pulls  the  scalps ;  "  that 
they  are  buried,  my  neighbor  here  can  testify,  I 
believe  they  will  not  rise  again  in  haste,  if  e'er  they 
do.  Now,  good  sir,  by  your  permission,  these 
same  two  scalps,  when  1  come  to  New  York,  will 
sell  for  twenty-four  good  pounds  ;  with  this  I'll  be 
right  merry,  and  my  wife  right  beau.'*  The  Major 
was  suspicious  they  might  have  left  some  marks  of 
blood  or  violence,  and  back  with  them  he  runs, 
to  satisfy  himself.  When  they  come  to  the  place 
the  Indians*  poor  faithful  dog,  before  unnoticed,  now 
sits  howling  o'er  the  pool,  with  a  right  doleful  note  ;  in 
pity  to  the  poor  dumb  beast,  he's  killed,  and  with  his 
master  sleeps.  The  place  all  round  surveyed,  back 
they  go,  and  now  begin  to  think  they'd  better  move 
the  camp  further  from  this  field  of  slaughter.  By 
this  time  a  fleet  of  transports,  with  convoy  from  old 
France,  were  plying  up  the  river  for  Quebec,  and 
ha4  already  reached  thus  far,  and  now  the  rear  were 
passing  by  this  bay,  one  of  which,  so  large  a  ship, 
they  took  her  for  the  Commodore,  and  as  the  sailor's 
term  is,  was  either  taken  all  aback,  or  putting  about, 
had  missed  her  stays,  and  seemed  to  them  as  lying 
to,  for  she  was  fair  in  view ;  conscious  of  their  situ- 
ation, they  immediately  concluded  she  had  seen 
their  smoke,  and  sent  her  boat  on  shore  to  learn  the 


I 


MEMOIIIS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


49 


one,  yoLi 
let  these 
ps ;  "  that 
testify,  I 
e'er  they 
ni,  these 
ork,  will 
lis  I'll  be 
he  Major 
marks  of 
he  runs, 
the  place 
iced,  now 
il  note ;  in 
i  with  his 
y^ed,  back 
tter  move 
iter.  By 
from  old 
jbec,  and 
rear  were 
e  a  ship, 
le  sailor's 
ng  about, 
a  as  lying 
their  situ- 
had  seen 
learn  the 


meaning  of  it;  out  goes  the  lire,  up  with  the  baique 
and  bag  and  baggage  move  into  the  woods,  and 
downward  on  the  river  ;  and  now  the  summit  of  a 
neck  of  land  is  gained,  which  rising  in  the  river, 
forms  ou  one  side,  and  overlooks  the  bay;  the  road 
now  downwarcLJies,  and  easier  travelling ;  at  length 
again,  with  wearied  steps,  they  reached  the  water's 
side,  and  here  they  do  resolve  to  wait  the  night,  and 
then  proceed  in  their  canoe.  Scarce  had  they  deter- 
mined, but  lo !  a  four  oared  boat  is  spied,  come 
rowing  for  the  shore,  and  ne'er  a  ship  in  view. 
*'  Courage,  my  lads,  I  hope,  by  your  assistance,  and 
God's  blessing  on  our  arms,  this  prize  shall  be  our 
owii,  these  men  our  prisoners,  too,  and  they  shall 
lessen  your  fatigue,  and  row  for  us;  observe  but 
what  I  order,  and  leave  the  rest  to  me,"  to  which » 
they  all  consent ;  and  now  he  is  resolved  to  stand  his 
ground,  and  wait  the  event,  or  death  or  conquest, 
and  a  better  vessel.  Their  ground  they  choose  just 
right  ahead,  where  she  was  standing  in,  and  close 
they  laid  amongst  the  rocks.  Now  briskly  on,  with 
quicker  strokes,  the  rowers  pulled  in  for  the  shore, 
just  as  the  wearied  traveller,  with  jaded  pace, 
pursues  his  journey  all  the  morning,  and  fit  by  this 
time  through  his  horse  to  sink,  but  with  noon  day 
descries  the  Inn  where  he's  to  bait  and  refresh,  and 
with  the  sight  his  spirits  are  revived  ;  he  gives  his 
horse  the  spurs,  reminds  him  with   the  whip,  and    ' 

4 


50 


M£MOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


i'i 


pushes  on  with  quickened  pace,  till  he  arrives  ;  and 
thus  she  presently  runs  bump  upon  the  beach.  The 
signal  given,  a  volley  went  amongst  the  crew,  and 
two  were  slightly  wounded.  Quarters  they  cried 
at  once ;  the  Major  and  his  party  rushed  down  from 
the  rocks,  and  stand  upon  the  beaich,  and  straight 
they're  ordered  out,  unarmed,  in  number  five ;  a 
reverend  old  gentleman,  who  sat  to  steer,  when  he 
came  out  with  graceful  bow  and  great  submission, 
desired  to  know  whose  prisoner  he  was;  to  this  the 
Major  answered  in  French,  "  we  are  British  subjects, 
and  by  the  fortune  of  the  war,  which  now  does  rage 
betwixt  that  country's  mighty  King  and  France. 
We  have  been  prisoners  in  Canada,  but  by  a 
lucky  chance,  we  have- escaped  the  vigilance  of  our 
enemies,  and  here  you  see  us,  and  we're  determined, 
at  the  utmost  hazard  of  our  lives,  to  get  away ;  and 
since  it  has  been  your  fortune  to  fall  into  our  hands, 
you're  now  our  prisoners,  and  your  men  and  shallop 
shall  be  of  service  to  effectuate  our  escape ; "  to 
which  the  old  gentleman  replied,  "  Monsieur,  I've 
been  a  great  way  down  this  mighty  river,  to  purchase 
wheat  at  a  great  expense  and  toil,  for  all  the  wheat 
above  is  carried  to  Quebec  to  store  tha  Magazine, 
and  am  returning  home,  my  shallop  loaded  as  you 
see;  I  am  Monsieur  Chev.  la.  Darante  ;  the  whole 
Camaraski  Isles  are  mine,  and  the  best  gentleman 
on   them  does   me  vassalage ;   the  best  Canadian 


blood 
de   M 
more 
feeble 
be  exc 
in  sho 
self  p 
fortun 
luckil 

• 

great 

there 

your  f 

last  n 

count 

reluct 

exped 

river  i 

neces! 

get  a 

beach 

her  n( 

mann 

sail,  \ 

fly  w: 

to  tak 

canoe 

way, 

hesa 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


/il 


es  ;  and 
I.  The 
Jw,  and 
ly  cried 
vn  from 
straight 
five  ;  a 
i^hen  he 
[nission, 
this  the 
ubjects, 
►es  rage 
France, 
t  by  a 
3  of  our 
rmined, 
ly;  and 

hands, 
shallop 
)e ;  *'  to 
Lir,  I've 
urchase 
3  wheat 
gazine, 

as  you 
5  whole 
itleman 
madian 


blood  runs  in  my  veins,'  nor  does  the  mighty  Due 
de   Mirepoix   deny  me  of  his  kindred,    and  several 
more   nobility  of  France ;   besides,  I   am  old  and 
feeble,  therefore  I  think  such  a  gentleman  as  I  may 
be  excused  the  duty  to  row  his  enemies  :  "  to  which, 
in  short,  our  hero  answered  :  "  Monsieur,  you  know 
self  preservation   is    the    first   law   of   nature;   la 
fortune  de  guerre  has  put   you  in   our  hands,  and 
luckily,  I  hope,  for  us;  and  were  you,  Monsieur,  the 
great  French  King  himself,  and  every  man  standing 
there  a  peer  of  his  realm,  depend  upon  it,  'twould  be 
your  fates  to  row  a  British  subject  now.  '^     At  these 
last  mighty    words,   stern  resolution    sat  upon  his 
countenance,  which  the  Canadian  beheld,  and  with 
reluctance  temporized.     The  shallop  is  too  deep  for 
expedition,  and  so  much  of  the  wheat  is  cast  into  the 
river  to  lighten  ber,  but  nothing  more  than  is  barely 
necessary ;   and    now  well  stowed  and  trimmed,  in 
get  all  hands,   and   with  departing    day  leave  the 
beach,  but  loath  to  leave  their  favorite  canoe;  see 
her  now  hanging  at  the  stern  in  tow.     Thus  doubly 
manned,  they  can  relieve  the  oars  and   attend  the 
sail,  which  now  is  likewise  set,  and  then  away  they 
fly  with  double  speed,  and  La  Darante,  too,  is  glad 
to  take  his  spell  to  help  them  on.     But  now  the  poor 
canoe  must  go  adrift,  for  she  but  stops  the  shallop's 
way,  and  off"  she's  cut ;  **fare  thee  well,  small  bark," 
he  says,  **  and  may  the  birchen  trees  forever  flourish  ; 


5'^ 


MKMOIRS    or    MAJOR    STOnO. 


nifiiiy  n  h^aguo  thou'st  brought  us,  iba  iks  even  lo  tlio 
liniuLs,  wliose  o*er  they  were,  tlmt  stript  thee  from 
the  tree,  and  fashioned  such  a  vessel  to  favor  ou*' 
escape  ;  but,  above  all,  great  praise  to  Thee,  first 
unoriginated  source  of  all  created  beinpfs  in  heaven 
or  on  (111 til,  whose  universal  influence  and  power 
infinites  made  all  things,  and  caused  that  very  tree 
to  gnjw  for  our  relief,  for  thy  benevolence  to  man- 
kind never  ceases :  "  and  now  the  oars  are  plied, 
and  the  kind  favorable  breeze  is  constant  to  the 
sail,  and  by  the  morning  they  had  made  a  good 
iiiglit's  work.  To  haunt  the  woods  by  day  had 
now  become  useless;  their  shallop  could  not  leave 
the  river,  nor  cared  he  much  to  trust  his  prisoners 
asliorc  ;  so  on  they  steer.  A  fresh  set  to  the  oars 
by  turns,  their  labor  mitigates,  and  now  the  sun  had 
reached  the  height  of  his  meridian  altitude,  and 
downward  moves  ;  and  then  a  distant  point  of  land's 
aliead,  whose  height  with  shaggy  top  cuts  off  tluur 
view  below.  Their  constant  labor,  and  the  favora- 
ble breeze,  at  length  brings  up  this  land,  which, 
when  abreast,  discloses  to  the  view  a  lofty  frigate, 
wliich  had  been  convoy  lo  the  fleet  of  transporls 
under  the  command  of  Monsieur  Channun ;  her 
charge  was  gone  before,  and  following  she  was 
turning  up  the  river.  This  sudden  and  dreadful 
apparition  gave  no  small  alarm,  but  faithful  it's 
resolved,  since  stand  to  fight  they  could  not,  to  run 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STORO. 


53 


I  to  the 
e  from 
or  ou'' 
e,  first 
heaven 
povvnr 
y  tree 

0  maii- 
plied, 

to  the 

1  good 
iy  had 
t  leave 
isoners 
le  oars 
un  had 
e,  and 
r  land's 
ft'  th(ur 
favora- 

wlii('li, 
frigate, 

iJisports 
11 ;  her 
le  was 
leadful 
ful  it's 
to  rnn 


while  they  could  swim.  The  Major  then,  well 
armed,  and  resokitely  bent  on  his  escape,  down  by 
the  tiller  sets,  and  with  a  nacred  oath  declares  that 
the  first  man  who  offered  anything  to  stop  the 
shallop's  way,  by  slighting  of  his  oar,  or  otherwise, 
that  instant  he  should  die  ;  and  ordered  them  to  pull 
with  vigor,  and  well  to  spread  the  sail :  so,  as  the 
frigate  stood  across  the  river,  at  a  distance  they 
passed  by  her  stern.  The  usual  signal  to  bring  to 
was  fired,  they  paid  it  no  respect ;  a  second  followed 
with  the  same  whizzing  noises  ;  the  third,  a  shot 
came  whizzing  o'er  their  heads  ;  and  then  she  fired 
shot  after  shot,  as  long  as  they  could  reach  the 
shallop;  and  now  the  balls  would  cool  their  fiery 
indignation  in  the  briny  wave,  and  rise  again  and 
o'er  them  fly ;  and  some  would  pass  ahead  and  some 
astern^  and  some,  at  length,  fall  short;  but,  by  kind 
Providence,  not  one  could  hit  them.  And  thus,  at 
length,  they  lose  her  out  of  sight,  nor  sorry  at  their 
loss,  but  on  they  steer,  rejoicing  at  their  lucky  escape; 
nor  durst  they  slack  their  pace  that  night,  but  flew 
along,  and  by  the  morning  light  were  distant 
from  her  many  a  mile.  But  often  as  they  passed 
along.  Monsieur  Chey,  la  Darante  would  remon- 
strate on  the  hardships  that  he  suffered,  not  only 
from  the  affront  that's  offered  to  an  officer  of  his 
rank,  but  being  thus  detained,  and  taken  back  to 
Louisburg,  for  aught  that  he  could  see,  besides  the 


\i 


54 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


losing  of  Lis  wheat.  "  II  est  fortune  de  guerre^ 
Monsieur,^'  was  the  height  of  his  redress.  At  last 
they've  run  down  many  a  league,  and  many  a  point 
of  laud  is  past,  and  many  a  shaggy-topped  moun- 
tain, with  many  a  little  island,  and  several  days 
were  gone,  and  not  a  sail  was  met.  It  happened  as 
they  sailed  along  in  shore,  they  spy'd  a  boat  was 
lying  on  the  beach,  and  toward  the  shore  they  stand, 
and  run  the  shallop  close  aground.  When  they  got 
to  her,  she  had  n'er  an  oar.  "  Look  well  about,  my 
friends,  they're  not  far  off ;  and  now  they  beat  about 
each  bush,  and  presently  they're  found,  Monsieur 
Darante's  looks  expressed  his  joy  at  this  glad  sight, 
and  hoped  they'd  now  let  him  depart,  to  whom  the 
Major  answered  thus  :  **  Monsieur  Chev.  la  Darante, 
our  must  gracious  Sovereign  has  taught  us  by  his 
great  example,  (for  we  serve  the  best  of  Kings,)  to 
show  humanity  on  all  occasions,  even  to  his  enemies, 
and  greatly  he  delights  this  to  exercise,  amongst 
his  innny  other  virtues ;  and  now  behold  his  clemency 
in  us  liis  subjects,  even  in  this  our  desperate  fortune. 
Do  you  engage  upon  your  high  born  honor  that  you 
filial]  not  divulge,  by  means  direct  or  indirect,  to 
any  soul  on  earth  what  brought  you  back  thus  far 
till  ycu  shall  reach  the  Camaraski  Isles  ;  then,  if  you 
choose  it,  tell  all  Canada  ;  and  do  you  undertake  the 
same  for  these,  your  servants?     This  it  is  that  bin- 


[ers  your  departure 


i) 


O'er  joyed  to  find  that  he 


guerre., 
At  last 
a  point 
moun- 
I  days 
3necl  as 
at  was 
'  stand, 
ley  got 
>ut,  my 
t  about 
)nsieur 
1  sight, 
om  the 
arante, 
by  his 
gs,)  to 
lemies, 
nongst 
mency 
jrtune. 
at  yon 
ect,  to 
us  far 
>  if  you 
ke  the 
at  hin- 
hat  he 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


55 


shall  get  home,  he  readily  complied.  **  Then. 
Monsieur,  your  mast  and  sail  are  ours ;  you  know 
our  case  is  desperate  ;  I'll  pay  you  for  them.  And 
yet,  behold  the  justice  of  our  British  Monarch ;  here, 
too,  is  money  for  your  wheat,  which  was  cast  into 
the  river.  Go  tell  all  Canada  how  good  he  is.  Yet 
one  small  favor  I  must  ask  before  you  go;  1  know 
you'll  soon  be  at  Quebec  when  you  get  home  ; 
when  you  get  there,  pray  wait  on  the  Commandant 
with  Monsieur  Stobo's  compliments,  and  let  him 
know  you  saw  him  thus  far  on  Lawrence  river  very 
safe. "  This,  too,  was  understood,  and  both  reli- 
giously performed.  All  things  in  readiness,  the 
crews  are  parted,  and  now  the  boats  are  both  afloat; 
and  compliments  exchanged,  and  stern  to  stern  from 
each  other  row,  and  presently  lose  sight ;  and  all 
the  night  they  jog  along  with  easy  sail,  the  weather 
moderate.  But  with  the  morning  they  espy'd  land 
just  opened,  and  p.  sloop  at  anchor,  riding  under  a 
point  of  land,  and  her  long  pendant  waving  in  the 
wind.  No  sooner  they're  seen,  but  straight  the 
signal's  fired,  to  bring  to;  to  press  their  hands  it's 
likely,  but  to  they  would  not  come  ;  then  she  let  fly 
a  swivel,  loaded  with  grape,  and  after  that  another, 
and  riddled  all  their  sail,  but  no  more  damage  did  ; 
and  on  they  sailing,  row'd  and  pushed  it  all  that  day 
and  next,  but  on  the  next  to  that  they're  not  so 
fortunate.     It  was  toward  the  evening,  the  sky  began 


.(    -I 


■\ 


n  II 


56 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO, 


It  I 


I  \  i 


to  lower,  the  wind  to  rise,  and  here's  a  cobbling  sea  ; 
but  still  lliey  keep  their  course,  till  it  at  last  turns 
dangerous  to  keep  out,  and  it  is  deemed  best  to  run 
her  in  ashore ;  then  ease  away  the  sail,,  the  helm 
aweather,  brings  her  large  before  the  wind.  It  now 
was  dark,  and  hard  it  blow'd,  and  there's  a  mighty 
surf  upon  the  shore ;  but  there's  no  choice,  the  coast 
is  all  alike,  and  in,  they  let  her  drive,  and  close  in 
shore  she  runs  upon  a  rock,  which  bulged  her  bows 
open  at  once,  and  in  the  water  gushed  ;  the  wav^s 
break  over  her,  anon  she's  filled ;  all  hands  jump  out, 
take  with  them  what  they  could,  and  seek  their 
safety  from  t^he  shore.  Right  luckily  for  them  they 
were  so  near,  and  yet  with  much  difficulty  they 
gained  the  land,  all  soaked,  and  some  provisions 
lost;  but  for  the  boat  there's  no  relief,  for  the  hard 
heartexl  surf  and  harderrocks  demolished  her  betwixt 
them.  And  now  they've  lost  all  hopes  of  overseeing 
her  again.  The  night  I  wot,  with  little  mirth  was 
passed,  and  by  the  morning*  light  the  wind  ,  was 
shifted,,  and  the  surf  was  laid.  While  yet  the  day 
was  young,  a  council's  called  to  see  what's  to  be 
done  in  this  emergency ;  and  there,  with  much 
debate  and  reason  strong,  it  is  found  impossible 
every  other  method  to  get  away  but  by  this  river. 
Then  it's  resolved  to  haul  their  wrepjf:  ashore, 
and  the  ship  carpenter,  with  all  his  ci;ew,  shall 
fall  to    work  upon  the  ruins,  and   be   e^ideavorini^ 


ling  sea ; 
ast  turns 
St  tp  run 
he  helm 

It  now 
L  mighty 
the  coast 

close  in 
ler  bows 
e  wavps 
Limp  out, 
sek  their 
lem  they 
Ity  they 
rovisiors 
the  hard 
:  betwixt 
er  seeing 
irth  was 
ind  ,  was 
the  day 
;'s  to  be 
h  much 
ipossible 
\is  river, 

ashore, 
w,  shall 
eavorint" 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


67 


at  least  to  make  her  swim,  if  nothing  better  offers 
in  the  interim.  And  then  they  march  all  hands 
down  to  their  shattered  vessel,  where  the  tide  had 
left  her ;  and  here's  too  many  leaks  to  think  there's 
water  in  her  ;  now  they  pull  and  haul,  and  lift  her 
o'er  the  stones,  and  all  in  sweat  they  drag  her  to 
the  shore  ;  and  now  she's  on  the  stocks,  and  all  at 
work,  some  here,  some  there,  to  find  materials  to 
patch  her  up ;  the  lucky  man  could  find  a  nail  or 
bring  a  piece  of  board,  tho'  not  a  foot  in  length. 
And  now  the  coast  being  clear,  they're  everywhere 
with  wishful  search  and  watclifiil  eye,  to  see  what 
they  can  find,  both  far  and  near.  Few  tools,  indeed, 
and  these  are  very  bad ;  right  slowly  comes  on  the 
work;  with  all  this  inconvenience  hindered,  some 
days  already  spent  in  this  successless  labor,  and 
their  provisions,  too,  grow  short.  At  length,  with 
numberless  difficulties,  the  timbers  all  again  are 
covered,  and  then  she's  ready  for  the  pitch  and 
caulkers ;  both  pitch  and  oakum  very  ocarce,  and 
whiit  they  had  was  scraped,  with  careful  hands,  from 
off  the  sticks  they  found  upon  the  beach;  some 
spared  a  handkerchief,  some  a  stocking,  all  what 
they  could,  to  tear  for  oakum,  and  the  coarse  seams 
are  in  a  homely  manner  stuffed. 

Full  eight  days  here  had  passed  to  little  purpose, 
and  short  allowance  makes  them  hasten  for  the 
launch  of  their  frail  cutter;    and  on  the  very   day 


58 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


agreed  on  for  that  purpose,  whilst  yet  the  sun  was 
hanging  on  the  west,  and  more  than  half  his  down- 
ward course  had  run,  two  sails  are  standing  down 
the  river,  and  edging  tovvVd  the  shore  ;  they  let 
their  anchors  go  right  off  the  place  where  our  frail 
vessel  sat  upon  the  stocks.  Their  first  appearance 
startled  all  the  host,  anon  the  labor  ceases,  and  on 
the  ground  they  all  lay  snug ;  now  all  the  sails  are 
pulled  down,  and  they're  prepared  to  ride  out  the 
flood  tide. 

Fired  with  ambition  for  some  venturous  enter- 
prize,  our  hero's  heart  expands  itself,  and  grows  so 
big  his  breast  can  scarce  contain  it,  and  boldly  thus 
he  reasons  with  himself:  heie  we  are  reduced  to 
the  last  want  of  bread,  this  boat  which  we  have 
patched  with  so  much  care,  without  provisions  can 
avail  us  nothing,  nor  can  we  hope  for  a  relief  within 
this  hostile  soil,  on  any  other  terms  than  abject 
slavery;  too  much  of  that  I  have  already  seen: 
come  rather  death ;  well  may  I  then  pronounce  our 
fortune's  desperate,  and  this  despair  has  often  made 
the  coward  brave,  and  of  that  bravery,  noble  deeds 
have  been  achieved.  Assist  me,  then,  thou  mother 
of  invention,  no  matter  how  'tis  done,  if  I  do  but 
succeed ;  here  are  two  vessels,  and  both  our  enemy's, 
I  may  j^resume,  and  by  their  distance,  one  may  be 
attacked  ;  nor,  by  their  mean  appearance  should  I 
think    them  freight  with  men  or  arms  ;  more  like 


i 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOHO. 


59 


m  was 
down- 
down 
ley   let 
ur  frail 
arance 
and  on 
ails  are 
out  the 

enter- 
rows  so 
ily  thus 
iced  to 
'^e    have 
ons  can 
if  within 
abject 
y   seen : 
nee  our 
n\  made 
e  deeds 
mother 
do  but 
inemy's, 
may  be 
hould  I 
Dre  like 


some  country  vessel,  and  so  1*11  wish,  and  hope,  and 
act ;  and  now  could  I  divide  the  force  of  either 
vessel,  and  calmly,  under  cloud  of  night,  steal  on  her 
by  surprize ;  then  might  I  hope  success ;  the  very 
thought  elates  my  soul — by  Jove  she's  mine ;  this 
next  us  is  the  smallest  of  the  two,  on  her  the  project 
shall  immediately  be  tried. 

And  now  he  calls  a  council,  and  communicates 
his  mind;  all  hear  with  wonder,  at  the  greatness  ot 
his  soul,  and  promise  to  assist  him  with  their  lives 
and  fortunes;  and  then  they  are  ordered  not  to  rise 
nor  stir,  but  to  keep  close  upon  the  ground,  till  he 
should  give  the  signal  they  agreed  on ;  then  a  long, 
straight  stick  is  cut  from  out  the  bush,  to  which,  at 
top,  he  fastens  a  white  handkerchief,  and  ensign 
like  he  marches  to  the  water's  edge,  his  musket  in 
his  other  hand,  and  then  he  fires  his  signal  gun,  and 
bears  his  ensign  waving  to  the  wind.  The  sun  was 
setting,  and  anon  he*s  from  the  sloop  beheld,  they 
wonder  what  it  means,  and  straight  the  boat's  put 
over  the  side,  and  two  men  and  a  boy  come  rowing 
for  the  shore,  where  he  stands  ready  to  receive  them  ; 
when  they  come  near,  they  keep  at  bay,  and  ask 
him  what  he  wants  ;  his  tale  was  not  to  seek,  he  is  a 
Frenchman,  and  necessarily  had  been  here  on  the 
King's  errand,  and  now  he  wants  his  passage  down 
the  river,  for  which  he  willingly  would  pay  ;  he  saw 
their  course  was  that  way  bent,  and  thought  they'd 


■■!» 


ir 


GO 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


# 


not  relusG  liim.  He  luckily  had  spent  that  aftern(K)ri 
in  shooting  in  these  parts,  which  brought  them  to  his 
sight.  The  night  was  cold,  and  he  had  rum,  left  in  a 
bottle,  almost  full,  upon  the  shore,  which  they  were 
welcome  to  if  they  would  fetch  it ;  and  then  they 
might  return  and  tell  their  master  what  he  wanted : 
then  straight  they  rowed  in  shore  to  get  the  rum, 
and  hauled  the  boat  up  from  the  flood,  till  they  came 
running  back,  and  all  together  on  they  fare. 

No  sooner  had  they  reached  the  land,  but  lo  ! 
they're  seized  by  violent  hands,  and  bound  ;  then  he 
declares  they're  in  their  enemy's  hands,  for  all  they 
saw  are  subjects  of  Great  Britain's  King,  and  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  all  his  subjects,  in  time  of  war,  to 
kill  his  enemies  wherever  they  are  found,  and  such 
they  surely  are ;  and  straight  the  tomahawk  is  shown 
them,  and  death,  without  remedy,  to  be  their  portion. 
Look  here  my  lads,  you  yet  may  live,  but  nothing 
can  save  your  lives,  except  you  faithfully  declare 
what  hands  you  left  on  board,  and  what  their  arms. 
Life's  surely  very  sweet  when  death's  before  our 
eyes,  they  soon  consent ;  then  they're  examined 
separately,  and  both  agree ;  the  boy,  too,  willing  to 
redeem  his  youthful  days,  assents  to  pilot  them  on 
board,  which  was  well  judged  that  his  known  voice, 
if  there  was  need,  might  answer  any  questions  put, 
when  they  should  come  along  side. 

The  mantle  of  the  night  had  wrapped  all  up  in 


I 


gi" 


j] 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


61 


ftenioon 
m  to  his 
,  left  in  a 
ey  were 
len  they 
wanted : 
he  rum, 
ley  came 

but  lo  ! 
;  then  he 
'  all  they 
1(1  that  it 

war,  to 
and  such 
is  shown 
r  portion. 

nothing 
J'  declare 
eir  arms, 
efore  our 
examined 
villing  to 
them  on 
vn  voice, 
;ions  put, 

all  up  in 


silence  from  the  sloop,  and  now  the  men  are  bound, 
each  to  a  tree,  their  arms,  behind,  surrounding  it, 
the  feeble  woman,  only,  with  a  tomahawk,  is  left  to 
be  their  guard.  Their  patched  up  vessel,  next,  is 
taken  from  the  stocks  and  launched,  the  other  was 
thought  too  small  to  carry  the  six  ;  and  now  she 
swims  ;  she's  very  leaky,  but  only  two  must  row, 
and  there's  two  hands  to  bale,  and  they  had  full 
employ;  so  off  they  go,  and  rowing  softly  on  with 
silent  stroke,  come  along  side  the  sloop.  A  light 
there's  in  the  binnacle,  but  ne'er  a  watch  on  deck ; 
they're  all  hands  down  ;  the  sloop  rode  fair,  her 
buoy  was  clear  ahead,  the  weather  moderate,  and 
some  turn  in  to  sleep,  for  yet  'twas  not  half  flood  ; 
the  rest,  at  ease,  enjoy  themselves  below.  Our  hero 
first  gets  up  the  side,  and  as  he  softly  step'd  upon 
the  deck,  the  trusty  pistol,  which  in  his  belt  was 
stuck,  catches  the  ratlins  of  the  shrouds,  which 
pulls  it  out,  and  it  comes  rattle  on  the  deck ;  this 
gave  the  alarm,  but  woe  to  him  who  fiist  came  up  ; 
so  soon  as  he  had  shown  his  face  at  the  companion 
door,  and  bounding  up,  so  soon  the  Major  let  fly  a 
shot  in  this  surprise,  and  down  the  fellow  tumbled; 
the  shot  had  hit  him  right  along  the  back,  and 
grazed  the  bone,  but  he's  not  killed ;  but  quarters 
was  the  word,  and  now  the  rest  are  all  upon  the 
deck.  The  prisoners,  he  orders,  one  by  one,  down 
lo  the  hold,  the  Master  only  left,  and  close  he  locks 


! 


y 


62 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


the  hatches,  and  then  he  questions  him  from  whence 
and  where  he's  bound,  to  which  he  answers  freely  : 
**  That  schooner  there  above  is  my  consort,  and  we 
*'  are  bound  to  Gaspee,  to  bring  provisions  for  three 
'*  hundred  Indians  now  assembled  at  Miramichi  and 
**  Aristigush,    under  the    command    of    Monsieur 
**  Bohaber,  and  who  on  our  return  are  to  proceed  to 
'*  Quebec,  to  reinforce  that  garrison.  "     His  very 
soul  is  all  on  fire  at  the  news,  and  thus  his   heart 
o'erflows  :  **0h  !  Britannia,  thou  favored  Isle,  among 
the  nations  all  around  thee ;  and  how  much  prefer- 
able, blest  seat  of  liberty,  how  do  my  bowels  yearn 
to  do   thee  service;   now  could  I  but  prevent  these 
savages  their  support,  they  can  never  reach  Quebec. 
I  said  in  my  calamitous  distress,  were  I  but  free  at 
will  to  work,  I  certainly  would  serve  thee  ;  and  now 
1*11  do  my  best  to  cut  three  hundred  Indians  from 
the  number  of  thy  foes.  *' 

Thus  said,  the  Master  is  examined  strict  about 
the  schooner's  force  of  men  and  arms ;  ten  men  she 
had,  but  ne'er  a  gun  on  carriage  or  on  swivel ;  of 
this  last  sort,  the  sloop  had  six,  which  carefully  all 
are  on  one  side  placed ;  the  windlass  next  is  manned, 
the  anchor's  soon  apeak,  and  now  she's  under 
weigh,  and  for  the  schooner  steer'd.  "  Stand  firm, 
my  lads,"  he  says,  "  this  is  a  glorious  night ;  and  as 
for  you,  Monsieur,  if  you  should  once  but  mutter , 
your  life  that  moment,  shall  surely  pay  the  cost ;   ' 


if 


V   ' 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


63 


whence 
s  freely  : 

and  we 

for  three 

nichi  and 

VIonsieur 

roceed  to 

His  very 

his   heart 

e,  among 

h  prefer- 

els  yearn 

ent  these 

I  Quebec. 

lit  free  at 

and  now 

ans  from 

ict  about 
men  she 
wivel ;  of 
-efully  all 
manned, 
!*s  under 
and  firm, 
t ;  and  as 
t  mutter , 
e  cost ;   ' 


ai( 


her  sid( 


ana  presently  she  lays  along  ner  siae ;  and  straight 
a  dose  from  all  the  swivels  is  poured  into  her  at  once  ; 
thii3  instantly  they  out  for  quarters  called,  and  she 
as  fast  is  boarded ;  and  now  he  stands  at  her  com- 
panion door,  with  musket  ready  cock'd,  and  boldly 
orders  the  prisoners  by  ones,  and  that  goes  down 
into  the  hold,  till  all  are  stowed  away.  Then  every 
thing  that*s  valuable  in  the  sloop  must  out  be 
brought ;  the  swivels  first  are  to  the  schooner's 
quarters  fixed  with  care,  and  every  thing  they  liked 
transferred  to  her ;  and  now,  as  hands  were  scarce, 
and  few  enough,  God  knows,  to  manage  one,  the 
sloop  must  burn ;  for  both  they  could  not  keep  ;  and 
now  she's  all  on  fire.  By  this  the  eastern  ray  began 
to  drive  old  chaos  off  that  hemisphere,  who,  conscious 
of  his  own  demerit,  when  opposed  to  light,  right 
silently  retires  towards  the  West,  till  he's  entirely 
expelled.  Adventui'ous  night !  and  happily  accom- 
plished. 

But  now  for  the  poor  woman  ;  who,  tremblingly 
stood  with  watchful  observation,  and  when  the 
broadside's  heard,  the  noise  went  to  her  heart  like 
death's  last  summons,  and  she's  confirmed  all,  to  a 
man,  are  killed  ;  it  must  be  at  them  fired,  for  they 
had  none  to  give ;  and  now  in  her  own  mind  re- 
volves what's  best  for  her  to  do  ;  and  thought  on 
terras  of  capitulation  with  her  two  prisoners,  to 
save  her  own  and  children's  lives ;  when  presently 


^1 


64 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOUO. 


lf>:!l 


she  sees  a  smoke  arise,  and  thinks  tlieir  own  ship 
surely  they  would  never  burn,  and  keeps  her  coun- 
sel yet  a  little  longer,  and  thus  the  lurid  ilames  burst 
out,  and  now  she  hopes  for  better  things. 

The  morning's  come,  the  woman  must  be  sent 
for,  the  children  and  the  prisoners,  too,  and  how 
must  this  be  done  ?  Two  of  his  own,  for  courage 
best  approved,  well  armed,  are  to  command  the 
expedition ;  two  prisoners  are  ordered  up  to  row, 
and  for  the  shore  they  ply,  and  safely  all  on  board 
they  bring.  And  now  the  hatches  bar'J  on  eighteen 
prisoners  at  once,  too  many,  sure,  to  put  to  sea 
withal,  therefore,  the  council's  on  the  quarter 
call'd,  and  he  proposed  to  part  the  prisoners,  and 
load  the  long  boat  and  send  them  ofi';  it's  readily 
agreed,  and  they  are  ordered  up  by  ones,  and  take 
their  seats,  till  eight  are  in ;  she  would  not  well 
hold  more;  provisions  next  are  given  them,  and 
the  bottle  of  rum  which  was  promised  on  the  shore  ;  a 
musket,  too,  with  powder  and  shot,  and  fishing 
lines ;  advising  them  to  make  their  v/ay  for  home, 
which  they  engaged,  and  off  she  goes. 

Some  prisoners,  of  those  remained,  are  ordered 
up  to  help  to  work  the  ship ;  and  now  the  topsail's 
loose,  the  anchor's  at  the  bows,  then  all  her  sails  aie 
spread;  with  gladsome  hearts  they  show  them  to 
the  winds,  and  through  the  rolling  waves  away  she 
sails.      The   boat,  as  soon  as  out  of  sight,  makes 


, 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


65 


wn  ship 
er  Conn- 
ies burst 

be   sent 

nd    how 

courage 

and   the 

to  row, 

)n  board 

eighteen 

t  to  sea 

quarter 

ers,  and 

;   readily 

and  take 

not    well 

em,   and 

shore ;  a 

I    fishing 

r)r  home, 

ordered 
topsail's 
sails  aie 
them  to 
Lway  she 
t,  makes 


I 


for  the  shore,  and  straightway  they  repair,  where  a 
small  party'occupied  a  post,  not  far  from  thence,  and 
they  inform  the  officer  on  duty  how  it  befel  them. 
By  this,  the  hue  and  cry  for  I^^nsieur  Stobo*s  head 
reached  thus  far.  The  officer,  with  great  desire  to 
gain  the  prize,  musters  every  man  that  can  be  spared; 
a  vessel  straight  is  armed,  and  for  6,000  livres  eagerly 
did  she  steer;  she  might  as  well  have  staid,  for 
they're  too  far  ahead.  With  steady  care,  and  all 
the  sail  that  they  could  show,  for  several  days  they 
keep  their  course  ;  and  then  the  Island  of  St.  John 
from  the  ocean  lifts  its  head  to  view.  Betwixt  this 
Island  and  the  main  is  thought  the  safest  course,  and 
in  they  stand  and  scud  along,  but  little  knew  by  this, 
they  missed  the  English  fleet,  which  now  had  sailed 
and  passed  without  the  Island ;  the  armed  sloop  that 
pursued  had  not  their  good  luck,  for  she  was  taken ; 
and  now  behold  the  land  of  Cape  Breton,  and  then 
the  welcome  port  of  Louisburg  is  gained  in  eight 
and  thirty  days  from  Quebec.  No  worse  befal  the 
man  who  says  he  suffered  not. 

No  sooner  is  he  landed,  than  straight  the  news 
run  through  the  town  that  Captain  Stobo  has  escaped 
from  Quebec,  and  is  just  arrived,  but  it's  believed 
by  none,  and  several  run  to  see  if  such  a  thing 
could  happen ;  and  some  who  had  formerly  known 
him,  assure  the  rest  that  he's  the  very  man,  to  their 
great  wonder  and  amaze,  after  such  a  great  price 


I 


GG 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


was  set  upon  his  head,  and  guarded  with  such  care. 
15 ut  now  the  schooner's  to  be  sold,  and  she  had  furs 
and  sundry  other  valuable  goods,  besides  the  vessel ; 
his  share  he  generou^  bestowed  on  the  poor  woman 
and  children,  as  he  has  nobler  gains  in  view ;  his 
heart  still  glows  for  honor  in  the  service  of  his 
country. 

Two  days  or  so  were  past,  and  then  a  vessel's 
ready  to  proceed  to  Quebec  ;  this  wished  for  op])or- 
tunity  is  embraced  at  once,  and  he's  on  board ;  and 
now,  with  equal  ardor,  wishes  for  the  place  he  strove 
so  hard  to  shun.  No  danger  on  the  river  now  is 
dreaded,  nor  yet  the  light  of  day,  and  naught  disturbs 
his  rest  but  thinking  on  the  tedious  hours  that  keep 
him  from  his  duty,  and  hinder  him  to  join  his 
troops ;  with  their  united  force  to  take  Quebec,  and 
strive  to  join  all  Canada  to  Britain.  At  length  the 
different  Islands  take  it  in  their  turn  to  stand  astern, 
and  every  land-mark's  past,  and  now  fair  Orleans  is 
again  in  view,  and  with  Britannia's  lofty  fleet 
adorn'd;  a  cheerful  siglit,  indeed.  Now  here  no 
time  was  lost  till  he  has  waited  on  Britannia's 
effective  General,  immortal  Wolfe,  and  thus  address- 
es him : 

"  Most  excellent  sir,  I  am  glad  this  honor  falls  to 
"  me,  to  stand  before  my  Sovereign's  mighty 
"  General,  under  the  hostile  walls  of  this  proud  city, 
*' whence,  on  the  1st  of  May,   I  did   escape  from 


, 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STORO. 


07 


I 


icli  cai'G. 
hucl  furs 
e  vessel ; 
r  woman 
lew ;  his 
e  of  his 

,  vesseVs 
)!'  op])or- 
[ird ;  and 
lie  strove 
r  now  is 
t  disturbs  • 
hat  keep        i| 

join  his 
3bec,  and 
3ngth  the 
id  astern, 
Orleans  is 
)fty    fleet 

here  no 
I'itannia's 
}  addresK- 

)r  falls  to 

mighty 

'oud  city, 

ipe   from 


*'  long  imprisonment  and  harder  usage.  My  name 
"is  Stobo;  I  stand  as  Major  of  the  Provincial  Re- 
*' giment  of  Virginia;  through  much  difficulty  T 
**  went  to  Louisburg,  there  to  join  your  troops,  but 
*•  missing  them,  I  hasted  back,  and  now  presume  to 
"  lay  my  service  at  your  feet.  1  believe  who  knows 
**  what  I  have  suffered  with  hi  these  walls,  scarce  well 
**  can  doubt  my  best  endeavors,  under  your  direction, 
"  to  distress  this  cruel  enemy.  My  knowledge  of 
*•  the  town  and  its  environs  has  cost  me  very  dear, 
**  but  not  so  much  that  I  should  rate  it  once  in  com- 
**  petition  with  my  much  loved  country,  and  our 
**  gracious  sovereign.  " 

No  more  he  said,  nor  needed,  his  story  was  no 
secret,  he's  judged  necessary,  well  received,  and 
constantly  attends  the  General,  and  of  his  house 
makes  one.  But  here  his  name,  like  many  a 
gallant  soldier's,  is  hid  in  the  great  splendor  of 
the  mighty  Wolfe,  who,  like  the  sun  with  univer- 
sal blaze  advancing  from  the  East,  absorbs  the  light 
of  all  the  lesser  luminaries,  who,  though  they  shine, 
it  is  in  his  great  orb,  and  only  serve  to  constitute  one 
single  ray  of  his  triumphant  glory  :  the  praise  was 
justly  his. 

Now  from  the  head  quarters  daily  out  he  sets  on 
this  bright  General's  behests,  nor  once,  I  believe, 
has  his  great  patron  without  him  reconnoitered,  and 
once  he  scaped  a  scouring  at  this  business,  'twas  at 


68 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


l\ 


4  I 


the  Falls  ofj^the  Montmorenci,  when  General  Wolfe 
caused  to  run  a  transport  near  as  the  high  flood 
could  bring  her,  where,  to  behold  the  batteries  and 
breast-works  of  the  enemy,  lo !  he  stands  upon  her 
quarter,  just  before  the  muzzles  of  their  cannon, 
and  witb  this  Major  by  his  side.  Amongst  the 
crowd  of  balls  came  thundering  at  them,  one  hits 
the  ship  upon  the  gun-wale,  not  far  from  where 
they  stand,  and  raised  a  massy  splint  of  wood,  which 
hit  the  Major  right  across  his  thighs ;  a  little  more 
had  cost  him  both  his  legs ;  it  left  its  vestige  black 
for  many  a  day. 

This  reconnoitering  ended,  the  transport 's  left  so 
high  aground,  it's  thought  she  won't  get  off,  and 
she's  immediately  condemned  to  burn.     And  now 

ft 

he  scours  the  woods  in  his  green  dress,  with  bonnet 
blue,  to  lead  each  reconnoitering  or  scouring  party, 
or  on  the  river  flies,  as  his  commands  direct ;  and 
he 's  known  by  every  boat.  The  frigates  passed  the 
town,  then  he 's  above,  and  up  he  goes  to  take  his 
fair  acquaintances  up  the  river,  of  whom  a  goodly 
number  is  seized ;  then  Monsieur  Stobo's  name  is 
all  that's  heard  for  half  an  hour  at  least;  this  lady 
enters  her  complaint,  and  that  cries  out  she 's 
wronged  ;  another  stript  of  something  ;  too  much  of 
this  was  true,  and  all  at  once  send  up  their  frightened 
cries  to  him,  with  such  a  peal,  he  knows  not  what 
to  do,  or  where  to  answer  first,  thev're  all  so  vehe- 


(( 


II 


n 


it 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


69 


1  Wolfe 
gh  flood 
ries  and 
ipon  her 
cannon, 
ngst  the 
one  hits 
1  where 
d,  which 
;le  more 
^e  black 

's  left  so 
off,  and 
ind  now 
h  bonnet 
ig  party, 
3ct;  and 
,ssed  the 
take  his 
=L  goodly 
name  is 
his  lady 
It  she  's 
much  of 
ightened 
lot  what 
so  vehe- 


I 


mently  loud ;  but  all  at  length  he  pacifies,  and  straight 
they're  carried  down  the  river,  and  well  accommo- 
dated on  ship  board.*  Some  days  thereafter  his 
business  led  him  to  call  upon  the  Admiral-in-Chief ; 
it  was  about  the  hour  of  dinner ;  the  business  ended, 

the  Admiral  told  him  Monsieur  was  come 

from  Quebec,  on  messages  of  truce  about  the  ladies, 
and  was  then  in  the  cabin,  and  to  stay  dinner  ;  and 
if  Major  Stobo  had  no  objection  to  such  a  guest,  his 
company  at  table  would  likewise  do  him  pleasure, 
but  could  not  urge  him  to  sit  with  such  a  messmate  ; 
to  whom  the  Major  answered,  if  he  would  excuse 
his  present  deshabille,  he  'd  do  himself  the  favor  that 
was  meant  him  at  his  table ;  the  place  was  sacred  to 


*  Extract  from  the  journal  of  Captain  Jno.  Knoxe,  of  the  British 
array,  during  the  campaigns  of  1757,  1758,  1759  and  1760,  in 
North  America. 

Under  date  of  August  26th,  1759,  he  says  : 

**  A  gentleman  at  Quebec  has  written  to  a  Provincial  Officer,* 
"  who  was  a  prisoner  there,  to  request  he  would  obtain  a  protec- 
"  tion  from  the  General  for  his  country  seat  on  the  Island  of 
"  Orleans ;  as  that  person  was  always  remarkable  for  great  hu- 
"  manity  and  politeness  to  British  captives,  his  suit  is  cheerfully 
"  granted. " 

-  Here  th  s  note  is  appended  by  Captain  Knoxe : 

"  This  is  Mr.  Stobo,  an  officer  of  great  merit,  who  had  been  an 
"  occasional  Major  of  the  Provincials,  and  for  particular  good  ser- 
"  vices,  was  rewarded  with  a  company  in  the  fifteenth  regiment  of 
"  foot. " 


:1 


I  ii 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    8T0B0. 


the  best  of  manners.  This  gentleman  was  one  of 
his  impartial  judges,  and  had  been  active  to  insult 
him  in  his  misery,  and  load  him  with  disgrace.  The 
dinner  is  on  the  table,  they  all  fall  on ;  ill  went  the 
victuals  down  with  Major  Stobo,  and  every  mouthful 
offered  fair  to  choke  him,  nor  yet  the  glass  could 
cheer.  The  dinner  ended,  he  begged  the  Admiral 
would  excuse  ;  his  business  called  him,  and  he  could 
not  stay  ;  the  Admiral  saw  well  his  hurry,  nor 
offered  to  detain  him  ;  but  well  it  is  believed  when 
he  and  Monsieur  meet  again,  be  where  it  will,  both 
will  not  come  off  so  well.  Soon  after  this,  on  board 
the  2d  Admiral,  as  he  went,  he  is  informed  a  prison- 
er 's  there  who  knows  him,  and  he's  brought  up,  and 
behold,  a  barber  of  the  town,  who  used  to  dress  his 
hair,  and  had  been  taken,  homeward  bound,  from  a 
6,000  livres*  expedition ;  and  now  he  asks  the 
prisoner  if  he  will  serve  him  for  yearly  wages,  to 
which  he  readily  consents  ;  then  of  the  Admiral  he's 
asked,  who  soon  complied ;  and  thus  his  foe  is  now 
become  his  own  domestic  servant. 

The  Major's  service  at  Quebec  was  all  obedience 
to  command,  and  information,  to  his  great  patron, 
best,  and  almost  only  known ;  he  pointed  out  the 
place  to  land,  where  aftewards  they  did,  and  were 
successful ;  and  having  contributed  all  that 's  in  his 
power  to  this  great  work,  the  General  wants  a 
courier  to  dispatch  for  General  Amherst,  and  he's 


of 
to 
on 
pra 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


71 


s  one  of 
to  insult 
e.     The 
vent  the 
mouthful 
ss   could 
Admiral 
he  could 
irry,   nor 
red  when 
will,  both 
on  board 
I  a  prison- 
bt  up,  and 
)  dress  his 
id,  from  a 
asks   the 
wages,   to 
Imiral  he's 
toe  is  now 

obedience 
;at  patron, 
ed  out  the 
and  were 
lat's  in  his 
,1  wants  a 
t,  and  he's 


the  only  one  that's  found  that  knows  the  route  by 
which  they  needs  must  pass,  and  straight  his  business 
is  imparted,  and  he  has  leave  to  go.  Kind  recom- 
mending letters,  too,  he  bore  from  his  great  Patron, 
to  the  other  General.  Now  from  his  worthy  noble 
Patror.  he  must  separate,  and  separate  from  his 
fortune,  too  ;  for  sure  as  he  had  faced  the  enemy  in 
field  of  battle,  so  sure  he  'd  fallen,  as  known  by  sight, 
to  every  common  soldier  in  Quebec. 

And  now  he  's  on  a  vessel  bound  to  Boston, 
crowding  down  the  river  Lawrence,  and  after 
several  days,  they've  cleared  the  gulf,  and  standing 
OQ  their  course,  when  lo  !  a  privateer  is  seen,  and 
toward  them  she  crowds  ;  then  straight  all  hands  at 
quarters  stand,  and  he  was  in  a  common  sailor's 
jacket  hid,  and  at  his  post ;  but  e'er  the  privateer 
came  up,  he  faithfully  conveys  his  letters  o'er  the 
side,  and  down  they  sink  to  a  right  trusty  secretary's 
bosom,  where,  we  may  venture  to  afHrm,  they  yet 
remain.  And  now  the  enemy  proclaim  their  errand 
by  a  gun ;  a  second  says,  they  will  not  be  denied, 
and  soon  the  English  haul  their  colors  down,  which 
when  the  Major  saw,  he  straight  bethought  himself 
of  his  Canadian  valet,  and  die  he  must  his  own  life 
to  secure  ;  and  now  his  piece  is  cock'd,  the  fellow 's 
on  his  knees,  and  well  we  may  aver,  he  never 
prayed  with  greater  fervor,  when  he  invoked  the 
saints,  than  now  he  does,  to  spare  his  life ;  all  that 


1 1.) 

1  u 


72 


MEMOIRS     OF     MAJOR     STOBO. 


could  be  said  or  sworn,  he  thunders  out  with  greut 
devotion,  that  neither  slavery,  nor  pain,  nor  rank, 
nor  torture,  nor  death,  nor  dread  of  hell  itself,  should 
ever  make  him  betray  his  kind,  good  master,  vvrould 
he  but  save  his  life.  Self-preservation  yielded  to 
humanity,  he  bravely  puts  his  life  into  this  fellow's 
hands  rather  than  take  his  away,  though  every  law 
of  prudence  would  have  justified  it ;  and  now  they  're 
boarded.  The  lucky  privateer  had  taken  several 
English  vessels,  and  had  more  prisoners  than  they 
could  well  secure,  and  straight  the  last  taken  crew 
with  several  others,  were  packed  into  a  sloop. 
Among  the  lost,  the  Major  marches  undisceined, 
but  strict  they  do  confine  his  servant  for  a  French 
deserter.  Now  only  guess  the  situation  of  the 
Major's  mind,  for  back  he  must  not  look,  but  was 
informed,  by  those  who  saw,  the  fellow  cried  most 
bitterly  at  parting  with  his  generous  master.  One 
day's  provision  only  they  could  spare  them,  to  find 
the  port  of  Halifax,  nor  got  they  there  before  the 
fourth;  upon  an  equal  dividend  three  biscuits  were 
the  Major's  share,  and  only  water  more.  No  sooner 
Halifax  is  gained,  but  straight  he  flies  for  General 
Amherst,  'cross  the  country,  many  a  league,  and  soon 
imparts  to  him  what  iiad  befel,  and  what  had,  to  his 
memory,  been  entrusted.  And  now  attends  that 
General,  as  a  volunteer,  on  his  Lake  Cliamplain 
expedition,   and    there  he    finished  the   campaign ; 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO, 


7H 


I 


itli  gretiL 

or  rank, 

If,  should 

r,  would 

elded  to 

fellow's 

very  law 

^  they  're 

n  several 

:han  they 

ken  crew 

a   sloop. 

lis  earned, 

a  French 

)n    of  the 

ij  but  v\^as 

ried  most 

ter.     One 

m,  to  find 

jefore  the 

:uits  were 

No  sooner 

r  General 

',  and  soon 

bad,  to  his 

ends    that 

J  li  am  plain 

:anipaign ; 


which  ended,  he  begs  leave  to  go  to  Williamsburgh, 
Virginia's  Capital,  and  thither  straight  repairs.  No 
sooner  he  is  seen  in  town,  but  presently  the  Assem- 
bly's Committee  convene,  and  soon  resolve  that  Mr. 
Robert  Stobo  be  presented  with  their  warmest 
thanks,  as  of  the  whole  Assembly  of  Virginia,  for 
his  known  firm  attachment  to  the  interests  of  their 
Colony,  and  his  unshaken  zeal  for  Britain,  and  her 
mighty  Sovereign,  and  for  his  greater  sufferings  for 
their  sakes  ;  and  this  their  thanks  be  by  their  Speaker 
signed,  and  be  presented  to  the  Major  where  he 
lodged,  and  that  without  the  loss  of  time.  And  then 
at  greater  leisure,  they  determine  that  his  ai rears,  as 
Major  of  their  regiment,  be  forthwith  issued,  from 
the  day  he  ranked  as  such  up  to  the  present. 

This  was  not  all ;  his  wages  was  his  due ;  they 
thought  their  empty  thanks  a  poor  reward  for  such 
brave  services  ;  and  straight  they  order  that  one 
thousand  pounds  be  given  him  in  a  present,  as  a 
mark  of  their  esteem  for  what  he  has  done ;  and 
then  they  offer  him  whatever  post  of  profit  or  of 
honor  within  this  colony,  that  should  fall  vacant,  less 
than  the  government  itself,  of  which  he  should  think 
well  to  accept,  and  yet  express  their  great  concern 
that  they  had  naught  to  offer  such  as  he  deserved. 
And  then  they  summed  up  all,  with  their  last  effort 
to  oblige  him,  by  tendering  him  a  twelve  months* 
leave,  as  Major  of  his  regiment,  with  his  full  pay,  if 


74 


MEMOIRS    OF    MAJOR    STOBO. 


It  ■! 


he  should  choose  to  come  to  England,  and  where 
they  hoped  their  little  chieftain  would  meet  with 
something  to  his  deserts. 

Thus  highly  honored  of  his  Virginia  friends,  his 
furlough  does  commence  from  the  1st  of  February, 
1760,  and  on  the  18th  he  embarked  for  England,  on 
board   the  packet  from   New  York,   with   Colonel 
West  and  several  other  gentlemen,  the  same   way 
bound.     Kind  letters,  and  suited  to  his  services,  with 
him  he  carried  from  Generals  Amherst  and  Monkton 
too,  and   several  more ;    and  now  he  sweeps    the 
watery  element  for  England.      The  Western  Ocean 
crossed,   the    soundings  of  the  English  ChannePs 
found,  when  lo  !  a  sail  is  spy'd,  and  bearing    down 
upon   them,    makes    all   hands    stand    aghast ;   her 
colors  white  soon  what  she  is  declares.     Then  over 
the  packet,  the  Major,  too,  sends  down  his  recom- 
mending letters  to  the  deep,  himself  concealed  in  a 
disguise ;  and  carelessly  he  casts  his  scarlet  frock 
down  somewhere  in  the  cabin,  which  Monsieur,  if 
he  claims,  is  welcome  to.     All  was  prepared,  but 
not  to  fight,  for  yet  we  hear  of  no  resistance  which 
they  made ;  and  now  the  privateer  's  along  side,  and 
they  are  boarded  ;  the  vessel  rummaged,  nothing  in 
her  's  found  but  passengers  ;  a  few  gold    watches 
the  Frenchmen  had  a  fancy  for,  and  they  are  seized 
sans  ceremonie,  and  what  besides  they  liked ;  but  had 
they  taken  all  the  baggage,  the  ransom  would  have 


Li 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


75 


1    where 
3et    with 

ends,  his 
ebruary, 
land,  on 
Colonel 
me   way 
ces,  with 
Monkton 
eps    the 
n  Ocean 
Channel's 
ig    down 
last ;   her 
hen  over 
is  recom- 
taled  in  a 
let  frock 
nsieur,  if 
ired,  but 
ce  which 
side,  and 
othing  in 
watches 
re  seized 
but  had 
uld  have 


been  small.  And  now  they  talk  of  terms  or  go 
to  France  ;  go  as  it  will,  they  must  pay  for  it,  and 
of  two  evils,  surely  best's  the  least.  Five  and 
twenty  hundred  pound  *s  agreed  on  for  their  liberty 
to  go  for  England,  of  which  the  Major  is  assessed 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  for  his  proportion,  and 
twice  that  sum  had  not  excused  him,  had  they  but 
known  his  name ;  and  for  the  faithful  payment  of 
this  ransom,  a  subject  is  delivered  to  the  privateer ; 
and  now  again  the  packet's  under  weigh,  and  stands 
upon  her  course  with  all  the  sail  she  could,  and  now 
they  make  the  land,  and  by  and  by  they  see  the  port 
of  Falmouth,  and  then  all  hands  prepare  to  come 
ashore ;  the  Major  now  again  draws  to  his  coat, 
Monsieur  had  left  him,  and  in  the  pocket  under  the 
arm-pit,  to  his  great  surprise,  he  finds  a  letter, 
which  by  accident  had  missed  the  general  catastro- 
phe, for  he'd  forgot  it;  this  was  addressed  from 
General  Monkton  to  Mr.  Pitt,  and  now  is  all  he  has 
to  show;  but  the  General  and  Admiral's  there  in 
England,  r.nd  other  officers  of  note,  who  had  been 
at  Quebec ;  by  their  report,  ere  he  arrived,  had 
rendered  its  utility  of  little  purpose.  But  now 
ashore,  to  Falmouth,  and  then  for  London,  by  quick 
and  sure  progression,  and  scarce  a  town  is  passed 
upon  the  road  where  the  French  prisoners  were 
quartered,  but  some  knew  Monsieur  Stobo,  and  all 
pretend    great  joy  to   see  him.     But  welcome  to 


76 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


London,  on  the  22d  of  March,  where  he  resides,  till 
he  *s  refreshed,  and  forgot  his  toils  ;  and  now  *s  the 
season  for  the  field  again,  and  here  he  must  not  stay. 
A  short  memorial  is  made,  a  modest  narrative  of 
v/hathe'd  done  and  suffered,  and  begged  his  honor's 
intercession  with  his  Sovereign  to  honor  him  with  a 
command,  even  of  a  company,  in  his  country's 
service,  where  they  thought  best,  and  that  he  might 
not  lose  an  hour  of  the  campaign,  which  now  's  at 
hand.  With  this  and  General  Monkton's  letter,  he 
then  proceeds  to  our  great  patriot  Minister,  patron 
of  all  true  merit,  who  generously  received  him,  as  a 
brave  soldier  of  fortune,  and  told  him  first  that  he 
had  heard  his  story,  and  with  him  held  some  confe- 
rence about  or  nation's  North  domain  affairs;  then 
gives  him  a  gracious  assurance  of  his  service  for 
him,  and  he 's  dismissed.  Few  days,  indeed,  were 
passed  before  there  is  a  letter  for  him  at  his  lodgings, 
inclosing  one  from  Mr.  Pitt  to  General  Amherst, 
with  his  own  hand  wrote,  and  arms  affixed,  but  open 
left,  that  he  might  see  what  he's  to  carry.  In  which 
kind  letter,  after  he  has  signified  to  General  Amherst 
his  Majesty's  most  gracious  approbation  of  what  the 
Major  sought,  he  adds  in  words  like  these :  **  As  I 
have  taken  a  great  share  in  the  general  attention  that 
is  paid  here  to  this  officer's  merit,  his  sufferings,  and 
his  zeal  for  his  Majesty's  Government,  I  shall  esteem 
it  as  a  particular  favor  if  you  will  honor  him  with  a 


MEMOIRS    OP    MAJOR    STOBO. 


77 


ides,  till 
w's  the 
lot  stay, 
rative  of 
honor's 
n  with  a 
oun  try's 
le  might 
low  *s  at 
etter,  he 
•,  patron 
tiim,  as  a 
^  that  he 
le  confe- 
irs ;  then 
•vice  for 
ed,  were 
lodgings, 
A.mherst, 
but  open 
In  which 
Amherst 
what  the 
j:  **  As  I 
ition  that 
ings,  and 
ill  esteem 
m  with  a 


command  of  a  company  in  the  army  under  your 
command;  and  I  understand  an  opportunity  will 
soon  offer  itself,  either  in  your  own  or  Anstruther's 
regiment,  &c.,  &c.  I  am  with  great  truth,  &c.,  &c., 
&c." 

This  was  his  leave  for  North  America  again,  where 
it  is  thought  best  to  send  him.  Two  dpys,  not  more 
are  passed,  till  he's  for  Falmouth  post,  and  sailed 
the  24th  of  April  in  the  same  packet  for  New  York, 
1760. 


END    OP    THE    MEMOlRji^c 


6* 


ABSTRACTS 


FROM     THE 


JOURNALS  OF  THE   HOUSE  OF  BUME8SES, 


IN  VIRGINIA. 


f  >l 


Friday,  August  30,  1754. 

Upon  a  motion  made  : 

Ordered  that  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  given  to 
Colonel  George  Washington,  Captain  Mackey,  of 
his  Majesty's  Independent  Company,  and  the  officers 
under  his  command  :  Major  Adam  Stephens,  Capt. 
Robert  Stobo,  Peter  Hog,  Andrew  Lewis,  George 
Mercer;  Lieutenants  Thomas  Wagner,  William 
Poison,  John  Savage,  James  Towers  ;  Ensigns  Wm. 
Bronough,  John  Mercer,  William  Peyrounny  and 
James  Craig,  for  their  gallant  and  brave  behaviour 
in  the  defence  of  their  country  ;  and  the  Speaker  be 
desired  to  write  to  Colonel  Washington,  to  acquaint 
him  of  the  same,  to  desire  him  to  inform  the  gentle- 
men of  it,  and  to  communicate  to  the  soldiers  the 
just  sense  this  House  has  of  their  bravery  also. 


by 

wiJT 

[2( 
noi 


vol 
Brl 


ABSTRACTS,    &C. 


79 


P.88E8, 


1754. 


given  to 
ckey,  of 
3  officers 
IS,  Capt. 
George 
William 

rns  Wni. 

nny  and 
ehaviour 
Baker  be 
acquaint 
3  gentle- 
liers  the 
I  so. 


Friday,  October  25th,  1754. 
Upon  a  motion  made  : 

Resolvedy  That  an  humble  address  be  presented 
to  his  honor,  the  Governor,  to  express  our  approba- 
tion of  the  conduct  and  gallant  behaviour  of  the 
several  officers  of  the  Virginia  forces,  except  George 
Muse,  late  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Jacob  Van 
Braam,  late  Captain  ;*  and  to  desire  his  honor  to 
recommend  them  in  a  particular  manner  to  his  Ma- 
jesty's favor  ;  and  that  at  the  same  time  he  acquaint 
his  honor,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  House,  that 
nothing  w\)\  contribute  so  much  to  the  success  of 
the  expedition  against  the  invaders  of  his  Majesty's 
dominions,  as  a  proper  encouragement  to  such  of 
the  inhabitants  as  shall  be  inclined  to  serve  in  his 


*  My  friend  Lyman  C.  Draper,  in  an  article  in  vol.  1  of  the 
Olden  Time,  labored  with  a  zeal  creditable  to  his  feelings,  and 
with  all  that  ability  which  he  possesses,  to  exculpate  ^/an  Braam. 
T  fear  his  task  is  a  hopeless  one.  He  relies  much  upon  Burke's 
History  of  Virginia,  (poor  authority,)  and  upon  the  expression, 
"  toe ''  and  *'  w«, "  in  Stobo's  two  letters.  These,  he  supposes,  re- 
fer to  Stobo  and  Van  Braam,  and  Burke  says  they  escaped 
together  from  Quebec ;  but  Van  Braam's  name  is  never  mentioned 
by  Stobo.  Besides  Lieut.  Lyons,  who  was  sent  to  Fort  Du  Quesne 
with  a  flag  of  truce,  reported  that  on  the  day  he  left  that  fort, 
[20th  September,  1754,]  Stobo  was  sent  to  Montreal,  but  said 
nothing  about  Van  Braam.  The  mistranslation  of  the  word 
*'  asaaaaine^  "  in  the  articles  of  capitulation  at  Fort  Necessity,  the 
vote  of  the  Virginia  Assembly,  the  subsequent  silence  of  Van 
Braam,  and  his  never  reappearing  in  the  colonies,  leave  little 
ground  to  believe  hira  to  have  been  a  true  man. — N.  B.  C. 


80 


ABSTRACTS,  &C. 


i'l 


Majesty's  army  in  the  present  expedition,  and  that 
Mr.  Charles  Carter,  Mr.  Landon  Carter,  Mr.  Fitz- 
hugh,  and  Mr.  Randolph,  do  wait  on  his  honor  with 
the  said  address. 

fiy  the  House  of  Burgesses. 

Tuesday.  Oct.  29,  1754. 

Mr.  Charles  Carter  reported  the  Governor's  an- 
swer to  the  address  .  **  That  he  was  pleased  that  the 
sentiments  of  this  House  concuiTed  with  his  own  ; 
that  he  had  already  made  a  representation  to  his 
Majesty  in  their  favor,  and  would  take  care  to 
renew  it. " 

Friday,  April  30th,  1756. 

Resolvedf  That  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds 
be  paid  to  Captain  Robert  Stobo,  in  consideration  of 
his  services  to  the  country,  and  his  sufferings  in  his 
confinement,  as  a  hostage,  in  Quebec. 

Monday,  November  19th,  1759. 
A  message  from  the  Governor  was  delivered  by 
Mr.  Walthoe : 
Mr.  Speaker,  • 

The  Governor  has  commanded  me  to  lay  before 
the  House  a  letter  his  hopor  has  just  received  from 
his  excellency.  General  Amherst,  in  favor  of  Capt. 
Stobo,  by  whom  it  was  sent,  which,  with  that  gen- 
tleman's singular  sufferings,  he  recommends  to  the 
immediate  consideration  of  this  House. 


AnSTIlACTS,    &C. 


81 


and  that 
^r.  Fitz- 
nor  with 

[esses. 

1754. 
ior*s  an- 

that  the 
lis  own  ; 
n  to  his 

care    to 

1756. 
1  pounds 
iration  of 
igs  in  his 

,  1759. 
vered  by 


ly  before 
ved  from 
of  Capt. 
that  gen- 
ds  to  the 


Tho  House  immediately  proceeded  to  the  consid- 
eration of  tho  said  letter,  and  the  same  being  read  : 
Upon  motion,  it  was 

Resolvedj  That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds 
be  paid,  by  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony,  to  Captain 
Robert  Stobo,  over  and  above  the  pay  that  is  due 
to  him  from  the  time  of  his  rendering  himself  a 
hostage,  to  this  day,  as  a  reward  for  his  zeal  to  his 
country,  and  the  recompense  for  the  great  hardships 
hehas  suffered,  during  his  confinement  in  the  enemy's 
sountry. 

Ordered  that  the  same  resolve  be  engrossed,  and 
that  Mr.  Bland  do  carry  it  up  to  the  Council  for  their 
concurrence. 

4 

Upon  a  motion  made  : 

Resolved,  That  an  humble  address  be  made.  :,  nis 
honor,  the  Governor,  to  desire  that  he  will  be  pleased 
to  take  Captain  Stobo  into  his  special  care  and  favor, 
and  promote  him  in  the  service  of  this  Colony ;  and 
that  Mr.  Richard  Henry  Lee  do  wait  on  his  honor 
with  the  said  address. 
Upon  a  motion  made  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  given 
to  Mr.  Robert  Stobo,  for  his  steady  and  inviolable 
attachment  to  the  interest  of  this  country  ;  for  his 
singular  bravery  and  courage  exerted  on  all  occasions 
during  this  present  war,  and  for  the  magnanimity 


82 


ABSTRACTS,  &C. 


with  which  he  has  supported  himself  during  his 
confinement  in  Canada;  and  that  he  be  congratulated 
in  the  name  of  this  House,  on  his  safe  and  happy 
return  to  this  Colony  ;  and  that  Mr.  Nicholas,  Mr. 
Bland,  and  Mr.  Washington,  do  wait  on  him  for 
that  purpose. 

By  the  House  of  Burgesses. 

C.  Wythe,  C.  H.  B. 


KND. 


APPENDIX  A. 


The  following  is  the  English  translation  of  the 
Articles  a  spublished  by  the  French  Government  in 
the  memoir  justifying  its  conduct. 

In  a  publication  of  these  articles  made  in  this 
country  from  a  copy  retained  by  Washington,  no 
such  preamble  or  introduction  appears,  article  first 
being  the  beginning. 

In  Washington's  copy,  at  the  end  of  the  Sixth 
Article,  the  words  *^ pendant  une  annee  a  compter 
de  cejour,  "  mean,  **during  one  year,  counting  from 
this  day, "  appear. 

How  these  discrepancies  arose,  it  would  be  useless 
now  to  inquire. 

Capitulation  gtanted  by  M.  de  Villiers,  Captain  and  Commander  of  his 
Majesty's  troops,  to  those  English  troops  actually  in  Fort  Necessity. 

July  the  3d,  1754,  at  8  o'clock  at  night. 

As  our  intentions  have  never  been  to  trouble  the 
peace  and  good  harmony  subsisting  between  the 
two  Princes  in  amity,  but  only  to  revenge  the 
assassination,  committed  on  one  of  our  officers, 
bearer  of  a  summon,  as  also  on  his  escort,  and  to 


84 


APPENDIX    A. 


hinder  any  establishment  on  the  lands  of  the  domin- 
ions of  the  King  my  master  ,  upon  these  considera- 
tions, we  are  willing  to  show  favoi  to  all  the  English 
who  are  in  the  said  Fort,  on  the  following  conditions  : 

ARTICLE    !♦ 

We  grant  leave  to  the  English  Commander  to 
retire  with  all  his  garrison,  and  to  return  peaceably 
into  his  own  country;  and  promise  to  hinder  his 
receiving  any  iusult  from  us  French  ;  and  to  restrain, 
as  much  as  shall  be  in  our  power,  the  Indians  that 
are  with  us. 

ARTICLE    II. 

It  shall  be  permitted  him  to  go  out,  and  carry  'with 
him  all  that  belongs  to  them,  except  the  artillery, 
which  we  reserve. 

ARTICLE    III. 

That  we  will  allow  them  the  honors  of  war,  thnt 
they  march  out  with  drums  beating,  and  one  swivel 
gun,  being  willing  thereby  to  convince  them,  that  we 
treat  them  as  friends. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

That  as  soon  as  the  articles  are  signed  by  both 
parties,  the  English  colors  shall  be  struck. 

ARTICLE    V, 

That  to-morrow,  at  break  of  day,  a  detachment  of 
French  shall  go  and  make  the  Garrison  file  off,  and 
take  possession  of  the  fort. 


1 


APPENDIX    A. 


%§ 


e  domin- 
OTisidera- 
e  En  glish 
nditions  : 

lander  to 
peaceably 
linder  his 
0  restrain, 
lians  that 


carry  with 
I    artillery, 


r  war,  that 
one  swivel 
3m,  that  we 


ed  by  both 


tachment  of 
file  off,  aiui 


' 


ARTICLE    VI. 

As  the  English  have  but  few  oxen  or  horses  let't, 
they  are  at  liberty  to  hide  their  effects,  and  come 
again  and  search  for  them,  when  they  have  a  number 
of  horses  sufficient  to  carry  them  off,  and  that  for 
this  end  they  may  have  what  guards  they  please  ;  on 
condition  that  they  give  their  word  of  honor,  to 
vvork  no  more  on  any  buildings  in  this  place,  or  any 
part  on  this  side  of  the  mountains. 

ARTICLE    VII. 

And  as  the  English  have  in  their  power  one  officer, 
two  cadets,  and  most  of  the  prisoners  made  at  their 
assassination  of  M.  de  Jumonville,  and  promise  to 
send  them  back,  with  a  safe  guard,  to  Fort  Du 
Quesne,  situate  on  the  Ohio;  for  surety  of  perform- 
ing this  article  as  well  as  this  treaty,  M.  Jacob 
Vanbraam  and  Robert  Stobo,  both  Captains,  shall 
be  delivered  to  us  as  hostage..,  till  the  arrival  of  our 
French  and  Canadians  above  mentioned.  We 
oblige  ourselves  on  our  side,  to  give  an  escort  to 
return  these  two  officers  in  safety ;  and  expect  to 
have  our  French  in  two  months  and  a  half  at 
farthest.  A  duplicate  of  this  being  fixed  upon  one 
of  the  posts  of  our  blockhouse,  the  day  and  year  above 
mentioned.  Signed,  Messrs. 

JAMES    MACKAYE, 
G.    WASHINGTON, 

rour.oN  viLMii:us. 


i 


I;  1 


86 


APPENDIX    B. 


Letters  from  Captaiu  Stobo,  July  28, 1754. 


**  The  Indians  are  greatly  alarmed  at  a  report 
said  to  be  brought  up  by  an  Indian  named  Tuscarora 
John.  He  reports  that  the  Half-King,  Monictootha, 
and  a  Shawanese  King,  &c.,  to  the  number  of  37, 
were  confined  by  the  English  and  carried  as  prison- 
ers. That  John  Meinors,  alias  Jacob  Cork,  of 
Montour's  Company,  told  him  so  soon  as  they  got 
them  to  the  inhabitants,  they  would  hang  them  all, 
and  advised  him  to  make  his  escape.  This  wa^ 
industriously  reported  the  day  before  the  Shawanese 
counselled  with  the  French  and  their  Indians.  The 
French  made  them  a  very  long  and  eloquent  speech, 
telling  them  they  did  not  come  to  make  war  with 
any,  but  the  English  would  not  let  them  alone. 
That  they  expected  their  children  would  not  see 
their  father  abused  in  his  old  age ;  but  that  if  they 
had  a  mind  to  join  the  English  they  might ;  if  not, 
and  to  live  in  peace  with  all,  there  were  goods  for 
them.  This  was  all  I  could  pick  up.  The  French 
gave  two  very  large  belts  of  Wampum,  and  as  many 
strings.  Their  Indians  gave  an  equal  number. 
The  French  gave  them  likewise  a  large  present,  viz: 
16  very  fine  guns,  2  barrels  of  gunpowder,  and 
bullets  in  proportion,  16  fine  suits  of  ciothes,  several 
of  a  meaner  kind,  blankets,  strouds,  &c.  The 
Shawanese  made  no  answer  at  that  time,  nor  have  1 


ex 

tw 
E\ 

SU: 

yo 

SO 

fel 


APPRNDIX    B. 


87 


a  report 
uscarora 
lictootha, 
3r  of  37, 
as  prison- 
Cork,    of 

they  got 
them  all, 
Uhis    wa^ 
hawariese 
Liis.     The 
tit  speech, 
war  with 
im    alone, 
i  not   see 
lat  if  they 
U  ;  if  not, 
goods  for 
he  French 
id  as  many 
1    number, 
resent,  viz: 
wder,    and 
[les,  several 
&c.       The 

nor  have  1 


lieard  they  have  as  yet.  'Tis  now  reported  for 
certain,  that  the  Half-King,  &c.,  are  killed,  and  their 
wives  and  children  given  up  to  the  barbarity  of  the 
Cherokces  and  Catawbas,  of  whom  they  say  there 
are  300  at  the  new  store.  True  or  false,  it  has 
greatly  alarmed  them,  and  had  it  not  been  for  that 
report,  I  believe  a  great  many  Indians,  and  of  several 
nations,  would  have  been  with  you  now.  If  true, 
(which  I  cannot  think,)  there  will  be  no  further 
dependence  on  any  Indians  this  way,  and  will  make 
our  return  very  hazardous,  but  that  is  not  to  be 
considered.  The  Shawanese,  Picts  and  Delawares, 
have  had  a  grand  council  by  themselves  ;  what  they 
have  determined  I  know  not ;  but  I  have  persuaded 
some  of  hem  to  venture  to  see  you,  by  assuring 
them  they  will  be  used  in  the  best  manner,  and  there 
is  large  presents  at  the  new  store.  A  present  well 
timed  now  will  be  of  great  service.  If  peace  be 
made  with  the  Indians,  Catawbas  and  Cherokebe 
I  hope  all  will  go  well.  I  assure  you  there  was  not 
any  of  those  Indians  we  call  ours  at  the  battle, 
except  six  or  seven.  I  believe  of  the  Mingo  nation, 
two  ie'lows  not  regarded  by  them,  particularly  one 
English  John;  he  was  at  Gist's  with  those  that  were 
suspected  as  spies.  I  am  informed  he  intends  to  see 
you  with  some  of  the  rest.  Take  care  of  them.  I 
send  this  by  Monecatootl  's  brother-in-law,  a  worthy 
fellow,  and  may  be  trusted.     On  the  other  side,  you 


88 


APPENDIX    R. 


have  a  draft  of  the  Fort,  such  as  time  and  opportunity 
would  admit  of  at  this  time.  The  garrison  consists 
of  200  workmen,  and  all  the  rest  went  in  several 
detachments  to  the  number  of  1,000,  two  days  hence. 
Mercier,  a  fine  soldier,  goes ;  so  that  Contrecoeur, 
with  a  few  young  officers  and  cadets,  remain  here. 
A  Lieutenant  went  off  some  days  ago,  with  200  men, 
for  [)rovisions.  He  is  daily  expected.  When  he 
•arives,  the  garrison  will  be  400  men.  La  Force  is 
greatly  wanted  here — no  scouting  now — he  certainly 
must  have  been  an  extraordinary  man  amongst 
them,  he  is  so  much  regretted  and  wished  for.  When 
we  engaged  to  serve  the  country,  it  was  expected  we 
were  to  do  it  with  our  lives.  Let  them  not  be 
disappointed.  Consider  the  good  of  the  expedition 
without  the  least  regard  to  us.  For  my  part,  I 
would  die  a  thousand  deaths,  to  have  the  pleasure 
of  possessing  this  Fort  but  one  day.  They  are  so 
vain  of  their  success  at  the  Meadows,  it  is  worse 
than  death  to  hear  them.  Strike  this  fall  as  soon  as 
possible.  Make  the  Indians  ours.  Prevent  intelli- 
gence. Get  the  best,  and  'tis  done.  100  trusty 
Indians  might  surprise  this  Fort.  They  have  access 
all  day,  and  might  lodge  themselves  so  that  they 
might  secure  the  guard  with  the  tomahawks  ;  shut 
the  sally  gate,  and  the  Fort  is  ours.  None  but  the 
guard  and  Contrecoeur  stay  in  the  Fort.  For  God's 
sake,  communicate  this  to  but  few,  and  them  you  can 


til 


ar 

81] 

gal 

Jai 

to 

it 


APPENDIX    B. 


89 


)rtuinly 
consists 
several 
i  hence. 
reca3ur, 
in  here* 
00  men, 
^hen  he 
Force  is 
certainly 
amongst 
.    When 
ected  we 
1  not  be 
xpedition 
y   part,  I 
pleasure 
jy  are  so 
is  worse 
IS  soon  as 
3nt  intelli- 
00    trusty 
ave  access 
that    they 
vks  ;  shut 
le  but  the 
For  God's 
m  you  can 


trust.  Intelligence  comes  hero  unaccountably.  If 
tliey  should  know  I  wrote,  I  should  lose  the  little 
liberty  [  have.  I  should  bo  glad  to  hear  from  you. 
lUit  take  no  notice  of  this  in  your's.  Excuse  errors, 
bad  diction,  &C.  Pray  be  kind  to  this  Indian. 
Springes  and  Delaware  George  have  been  here.  " 
[Hero  follows  a  plan  of  the  Fort.] 

*'  Sir — I  wrote  you  yesterday  by  an  Indian  named 
the  Long  or  iMono  ;  he  will  be  with  you  in  seven 
days.  Tliis  goes  by  Delaware  George.  If  these 
discharge  their  trust,  they  ought  to  be  well  rewarded. 
The  purport  of  yesterday's  letter  was  to  inform  you 
of  a  re[)ort,  and  I  hope  false,  which  greatly  alarms 
the  Indians  :  that  the  Half-King  and  Monecatooth 
are  killed,  their  wives  and  children  given  to  the 
Catawbas,  Cattoways  and  Cherokees.  I  wish  a 
peace  may  be  made  up  between  the  Catawl.)as  and 
the  nations  here  ;  they  are  mucli  afraid  of  them. 
Many  would  have  joined  you  ere  now  had  it  not 
been  for  tiiat  report.  You  had  as  just  a  plan  of  the 
fort  as  time  and  opportunity  would  allow.  The 
French  manage  the  Indians  with  the  greatest 
artihce.  I  m(  ationed  yesterday  a  council  the 
Shawanese  had  with  the  French,  the  present  they 
gave,  and  if  they  made  the  French  a  speech  yester- 
day, the  bearer,  who  was  present,  will  inform  you 
to  what  purport.  If  yesterday's  letter  reaches  you, 
it  will  give  you  a  particular  account  of  most  things. 


90 


APTENDIX    n. 


I  hfive  scarce  a  minute;  therefore  can  only  add  one 
more  thing  :  tliere  are  fibout  '^00  men  here  at  this 
time,  200  more  expectoil  in  a  few  days  ;  the  rest 
went  off  in  several  detachments  to  the  amount  of 
1,000,  besides  Indians.  The  Indians  have  great 
liberty  here  ;  they  go  out  and  in  when  they  please 
without  notice.  If  100  trusty  Shawanese,  Mingoes 
and  Dolawares,  were  picked  out,  they  might  surprise 
the  Fort,  lodging  themselves  under  the  platfbim 
behind  the  palisades  by  day,  and  at  night  secure  the 
guard  with  their  tomahawks.  The  guard  consists  of 
40  men  only,  and  5  officers.  None  lodge  in  the 
Fort  but  the  guard,  except  Contrecccur — the  rest  in 
bark  cabins  round  the  Fort.  All  this  you  have  more 
particular  in  yesterday's  account.  Your  humble 
servant,  &;c.  La  Force  is  greatly  missed  here 
Let  the  good  of  the  expedition  be  considered  pre-, 
ferable  to  our  safety.     Haste  to  strike. 

*'  A  list  of  deserters  and  prisoners  at  the  French 
Fort : 

*'  Mercer's  company. — John  Smith,  John  Baker. 
Did  not  ffet  here  till  after  the  detachment  of  deserters. 

**  Vanbraam's  do. — Barnabas  Deven. 

"Mercer's  do. — Jacob  Arants,  John  Ramsey. 
This  man  is  the  cause  of  all  our  misfortunes.  He 
deserted  the  day  before  the  battle.  The  French  got 
to  Gist's  at  dawn  of  day,  surrounding  the  Fort, 
imagining  that  we  were  still  there,  gave  a  general 


APPENDIX    B. 


91 


atld  one 

^  at  this 

the   rest 

lount    of 

ve   great 

y  ])lease 

Mingoes 

:  surprise 

platform 

ecure  the 

consists  of 

ere  in  the 

:he  rest  in 

lave  more 

ir  humble 

ssed    here 

ered  pre-. 

he  French 

»hn  Baker, 
f  deserters. 

I  Ramsey, 
unes.  He 
French  got 
the  Fort, 
3  a  general 


fire.  But  when  they  found  we  were  gone,  they 
were  determined  to  return  with  all  expedition, 
thinkinof  we  had  returned  to  the  inhabitants — when 
up  comes  Mr.  Driscall,*  told  them  he  had  deserted 
the  day  before,  and  that  the  regiment  was  still  at 
the  meadows,  in  a  starving  condition,  which  caused 
his  deserting,  and  hearing  they  were  coming, 
deserted  to  them.  They  confined  him — told  him  if 
true,  he  should  be  rewarded,  if  false,  hanged.  This 
I  had  from  the  English  interpreters. 

*'  Mackay's  do. — Daniel  Stuerdfages,  wounded  in 
the  right  arm. 

*'  Montour's  do. — Daniel  Laiferty,  Henry  O'Brien, 
prisoners. 

"  Taken  at  Guest's  by  an  Indian  named  English 
John,  Lowrey's  traders,  Andrew  M'Briar,  Nehemiah 
Stevens,  John  Kennedy,  Elizabeth  Williams. 

*'  The  Indians  offered  their  prisoners  for  sale. 
Enquired  the  price — 40  pistoles  for  each.  A  good 
ransom. 


*  Mr.  Driscnll.  This  natne  eertainly  seems  out  of  place  here. 
In  the  previous  part  of  this  para.j2;raph,  after  naming  Arants  and 
John  Ramsey,  Stobo  says,  '^thi>i  mo)i,"  evidently  referring  to 
Ramsey,  and  then  says  he  "wtis  the  cause  of  all  our  misfortunes. " 
He  next  proceeds  to  explain  ho^v,  and  then  for  the  first  time  this 
name  "Mr.  Driseall"  appears.  T  have  always  suspected  that 
.Stobo  wrote  "  Mr.  Rascall, "  andjin  copying,  it  was  changed  into 
"Mr.  Driscall." 


92 


APPENDIX    U, 


*'  All  sent  to  CanaJji  in  custody  of  tlie  Judiiin  who 

took  them,  excejit  John  Kennedy  :  he  was  given  to 

the  Owl  to  weigh  upon  while  his  leg  was  eurin<(. 

He  was  wounded  with  ten  others,  and  four  Indians, 

All  are   recovering  but  one,  who  died  after  having 

his  arm  cut  ott'.     Four  were  shot  on  the  spot.     That 

is  all  the  loss  I  can  hear  of.     On  the  28d,  three  of 

their  people  deserted.     I  hope  they  are  got  with  you 

by  this  time.     I  hear  more  intend  it  soon.     I  spoke 

to   the   commander   several    times    concerning    the 

])risoners,  telling   him    as   long    as   we   came  to  a 

capitulation,  to  make  them  ])risoners  was  wrong — he 

told   me  they  were   the  Indian's,  and  he  could  not 

get  them  from  them. " 


luliiiu  who 
as  given  to 
^'as  cuiiii<^. 
jr  Indians, 
fter  having 
pot.     That 
Id,  three  of 
ot  with  you 
n.     I  spoke 
;erning    the 
came  to  a 
,  wrong — he 
e  could  not 


